The Blake Plateau, located 80–200 miles off the Georgia coast, is home to the largest known deep-sea coral ecosystem on Earth. Rising hundreds of feet above the seafloor, these ancient coral mounds support an extraordinary range of marine life, including fish, invertebrates, whales, sharks, and sea turtles. The plateau also holds cultural significance as an underwater memorial tied to the Middle Passage and the Gullah/Geechee people. Yet, the region currently lacks durable protections from industrial threats such as oil and gas exploration, deep-sea mining, and unsustainable fishing practices.
Over the past year, Georgia Conservancy, alongside partner organizations, has raised awareness of the global significance of the Blake Plateau and begun building support for its long-term conservation.
These advocacy efforts reached a significant milestone in January 2026 when the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council adopted a resolution urging that the sanctuary’s updated management plan include consideration of protections for Blake Plateau habitats. The resolution calls on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to evaluate conservation measures for these deep-water coral ecosystems during the upcoming management plan review process.
With NOAA’s review process underway, Georgia Conservancy will continue working to ensure that this unique deep-sea ecosystem receives the long-term protections it warrants. This spring, Georgia Conservancy is assisting students at the Savannah College of Art & Design through a multidisciplinary studio focused on developing creative opportunities for the public to engage with the Blake Plateau ecosystem.
Learn more about the Blake Plateau at www.georgiaconservancy.org/blake-plateau