The Best Job Ever!

February 1, 2023

Steve Gittings, Chief Scientist, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

The modern history of the Flower Garden Banks is a series of transitions--a Mystery Era that lasted for nearly 30 years, the Discovery Era in the 1960s, the Enlightenment Era in the 1970s and early 1980s, then the Sanctuary Era. Steve Gittings was fortunate to be part of the last two, working on the banks starting in 1980, then being selected as the first sanctuary manager in 1992. His mentor, Tom Bright, called it "a plum job." It was even better! Let Steve take you back to that time and tell stories about the best job he will ever have.