The Northern Gannet’s ( Morus bassanus) winter range extends well into the Gulf of Mexico. According to Nettleship (1976) wintering birds regularly disperse south along the Atlantic coast to Florida with smaller numbers occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. These birds feed by diving to depths up to 30.5 m (100 ft) (Stokes, 1996). Because their peak food supply of mackerel (Scomber sp) and herring (Clupea sp) is both seasonal and dependable, egg-laying takes place on a consistently similar date every year. With a large food supply, single chicks have high survival rates (Perrin, 1990).