The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world stretching about 1,000 miles across from east to west and about 550 miles from north to south. Although relatively shallow at 5,000 feet in average depth compared to the average depth in the open ocean of 12,550 feet, the warm waters of the Gulf support a wide diversity of sea life. The spectrum of sea life in the Gulf runs from microscopic plankton and algae to the huge whale shark, the world’s largest fish, that is 40 feet in length and weighs 80,000 pounds. To learn more about how you can help preserve the magnificent Gulf and the creatures it supports visit the rest of our site.
