Secrets of the Deep

Explore Gulf of Mexico Restoration at the Mississippi Aquarium!

The Secrets of the Deep exhibit is a fascinating dive into life in the twilight and midnight zones of the Gulf of Mexico. This immersive exhibit highlights the mesophotic and deep benthic coral communities that live beyond the sunlit surface of the Gulf and offers a unique experience by bringing guests face-to-face with animals rarely encountered by the public.

What are mesophotic and deep benthic communities?

Mesophotic and deep benthic habitats, or areas of the seafloor that see little to no sunlight, are home to a complex community of fish, corals, and other invertebrates. In the Gulf of Mexico, these habitats faced an unprecedented threat in 2010 when the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill released approximately 134 million gallons of oil over an 87-day span. More than 770 square miles of deep-sea habitat were injured, an area a bit bigger than the city of Houston.

NOAA and the Department of the Interior are leading efforts for the DWH Open Ocean Trustees to restore these Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities injured by the DWH oil spill. The new exhibit showcases corals collected as part of this ongoing restoration, the importance of these habitats, technology used in the deep sea, and the work Mississippi Aquarium staff is doing to support these efforts. The exhibit was made possible through a grant from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, with funding from the NOAA Restoration Center.

What can I see in the exhibit?

• A live coral exhibit showcasing rarely seen deep corals from the Gulf of Mexico, which were collected as part of ongoing restoration efforts.
• An immersive exhibit featuring 3D printed coral sculptures, with an augmented reality feature that showcases these habitats.
• Stunning, lifelike artwork featuring animals found in the mesophotic and deep Gulf of Mexico by Louisiana artist Robert Post.
• A walk-in deep-sea submersible featuring real underwater footage collected during restoration efforts. This feature is wheelchair accessible and fun for guests of all ages.
• An interactive kiosk that provides guests the opportunity to experience what it's like to be part of the restoration team by identifying fascinating species along the seafloor and learning about deep-sea habitats and technology.