Situated in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana and Texas coasts, the Flower Garden Banks are richly diverse, but fragile, coral reef ecologies that have grown over the last 10,000-15,000 years atop salt domes in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Flower Garden Banks are said to have been discovered by snapper and grouper fishermen in the early 1900s. The vividly colorful marine life they could see below their boats may have inspired their name. However they were discovered and named, the Flower Garden Banks were designated a National Marine Sanctuary in January 1992. The Flower Garden Banks are a favorite location for scuba divers and for observation from boats. Visits are regulated. Permits are required.
Bret A. Heim, Government Documents Librarian, MSLIS
0 Comments.