Why is it called the Flower Garden Banks?
At the turn of the century, snapper and grouper fishermen nick-named this area the “Texas Flower Gardens” because of the brightly colored sponges, plants, and other marine life they sometimes snagged and brought to the surface. By the time the sanctuary was designated, the term ‘banks’ had been added to the name as a reference to the salt dome formations upon which the reefs are perched. For more information about events leading up to designation, visit the History page.
