Open Ocean

The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group released an updated Open Ocean Monitoring and Adaptive Management Strategy (PDF, 23 pages). The strategy includes the Trustees’ initial priorities for information needed to help evaluate the outcomes of restoration, assess progress towards  restoration goals, and inform restoration planning and implementation. The Trustees are also hosting a webinar on July 22, 2020 to present the strategy. Registration information is below.

The first version of the strategy was released in May 2019. It is a living document that will be updated as needed over time

In 2019, the Deepwater Horizon Trustees continued restoration in the Gulf of Mexico, starting our fourth year of post-settlement work. Annual reports on all of the Trustees’ work, and an annual financial summary are now available.

The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group held its annual public meeting via an interactive webinar on December 12, 2019. During the meeting, we presented updates on the Open Ocean Restoration Area’s early restoration projects, first and second restoration plans, and monitoring and adaptive management activities. The presentation was followed by a question and answer period where attendees’ questions were answered by Trustee staff.

The webinar presentation and script, and a summary of answers to questions from attendees are available below:

• Presentation slides (PDF, 33 pages).
• Presentat

The Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group released the Final Open Ocean Restoration Plan 2 (PDF, 493 pages) selecting 18 projects totaling almost $226 million to help restore fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and mesophotic and deep benthic communities injured by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The plan and its projects represent the largest dedication of Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds to restore these oceanic marine resources in the Gulf of Mexico to date. The selected projects will:

• Develop innovative and voluntary tools for commercial fishermen to

The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group will hold its annual public meeting via an interactive webinar on December 12, 2019. The webinar is open to everyone; we encourage your attendance and participation.

During this meeting, we will present updates on the Open Ocean Restoration Area’s first and second restoration plans, restoration projects, and monitoring and adaptive management activities. We’ll also provide an opportunity for questions and answers after the updates are presented.

• Date: December 12, 2019
• Time: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. CT
• Registration: Please register for the webinar at

Pelagic longline fishermen in the Gulf are invited to submit a quote to participate in the 2020 Oceanic Fish Restoration Project. Visit the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) website and resources to learn more, and return the necessary forms no later than October 23, 2019.

Many species of oceanic (or pelagic) fish in the Gulf of Mexico were injured during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, including tuna, billfish, and others. Managed by NOAA, the Oceanic Fish Restoration Project is a is 6-year effort to restore impacts from the oil spill to fish species by giving them time to grow

The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group approved new monitoring and adaptive management activities to help better understand environmental conditions that impact marine mammals injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The species include pantropical spotted and other oceanic dolphins, and sperm whales.

The Gulf of Mexico is a complex system in which there are many uncertainties and knowledge gaps. In the northern Gulf, whales and dolphins may be exposed to several stressors at the same time or cumulatively over their lifespan. They include noise, physical injury, toxins, reduced prey

In response to both extenuating weather conditions associated with the recent Hurricane Barry, and public requests, the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group has reopened the public comment period for the Draft Restoration Plan 2. The new comment period will run through August 2, 2019. Comments already submitted in response to earlier announcements, including after the recently closed July 15, 2019 deadline, do not need to be resubmitted.

Draft Restoration Plan 2, released May 15, 2019, proposes 18 preferred restoration alternatives for fish, sea turtles, marine mammals, and mesophotic and

The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group will implement two monitoring and adaptive management activities to fill critical information gaps to support Gulf sturgeon restoration. The activities are described in two recently-approved implementation plan documents and are aligned with goals we identified in our Monitoring and Adaptive Management Strategy, released in May 2019.

• Informing Gulf Sturgeon Population Status and Trends as a Baseline to Evaluate Restoration (PDF, 9 pg)
• Juvenile Gulf Sturgeon - Gulf-wide Population Dynamics and Habitat Use (PDF, 12 pg)

Gulf sturgeon inhabit

The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group released the Draft Restoration Plan 2 on May 15, 2019. Following the release, we held a public meeting on June 4, and two public webinars on June 11 and 13 to present the draft plan and  receive public comments. Materials for the meeting and webinars are now available.

June 4, 2019 Public Meeting

The in-person meeting began with an interactive open house where the public could ask questions and learn details about the draft plan. It was followed by a formal presentation and the opportunity for the public to provide comments. The meeting