Gulf of Mexico Research Plan

The Gulf of Mexico research community recently developed a regional research plan called the Gulf of Mexico Research Plan (GMRP). The mission of the GMRP is to identify priority research needs for the Gulf of Mexico through broad constituent input and to implement strategies to address those needs. The goal is to assist the Gulf of Mexico research community, including those who conduct or administer research or use research findings. This plan incorporates input from more than 1,500 people from 260 universities, government agencies, businesses, NGOs and other organizations. The four Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant college programs coordinated the plan, and the Planning and Review Council guided it. Numerous agencies and organizations provided additional support.

The highest-rated Gulf of Mexico research priorities are framed within five theme areas in the GMRP. These theme areas are presented alphabetically here:

• Ecosystem health indicators
• Freshwater input and hydrology
• Habitats and living resources
• Sea-level change, subsidence and storm surge
• Water quality and nutrients

The GMRP is available for download and supporting documents, appendices and the GMRP Web site are accessible at the report Webpage.