Matt Rota | Heathy Gulf

1 August 2025

New Orleans, LA–Today, the official size of the 2025 Gulf Dead Zone was announced by NOAA-supported scientists. This year’s dead zone measured approximately 4,402 square miles, almost the size of Connecticut. While this is not the largest Dead Zone we have seen, it is approximately over twice the stated goal of the Hypoxia Task Force.

Below is a statement from Matt Rota, Senior Policy Director for Healthy Gulf While the Gulf Dead Zone is not as large as it has been in past years, it does not seem to be due to reduction of the nitrogen and phosphorus pollution that drives it. We cannot take this smaller Dead Zone as an indication of success of the Hypoxia Task Force. Much more action must be taken.

A striking result of this year’s measurement is how hot the Gulf waters are. They were measured at 97 degrees Fahrenheit. While the two dimensional area was slightly below average, researchers say that the Dead Zone was “widespread and severe.” In some areas, the Dead Zone comprised half of the water column. It is also notable that potentially toxic algae blooms were also detected in surface waters.

It is also troubling to note that we have seen an increase in proposed new fertilizer plants in Louisiana and Texas, touted as “blue” ammonia, which uses natural gas to create nitrogen-based fertilizers. It is worrisome that while the Hypoxia Task Force is attempting to reduce fertilizer pollution runoff, petrochemical companies are doubling-down on fertilizer production, which impacts local communities, as well as water quality throughout the Mississippi River Basin.

The Hypoxia Task Forces’ goal is to reduce the average size of the Gulf Dead Zone to 1,900 square miles by 2035. This goal was originally to be met by 2015. After not getting even close, the goal was extended by 20 years.It would take $2.7B annually to meet the Task Force goal, utilizing current conservation practices. We need to understand that unless we fundamentally change how we address this pollution, from farming practices to federal and state policies, there is no way we will meet the 2035 goal. If we don’t reach this goal, our fisherfolk, coastal communities, and Gulf ecosystem will continue to suffer.

Press Contact: Matt Rota, matt@healthygulf.org, 504-519-0846