February 3, 2004 — Coral reefs are among the most diverse and biologically complex ecosystems on Earth. They are also considered the Earth’s largest and oldest biological structures — even rivaling old growth forests in the longevity of their biological communities.

As the "rain forests of the sea," coral reefs provide services estimated to be worth as much as $375 billion each year, a staggering figure for an ecosystem covering less than one percent of the Earth's surface. Healthy coral reefs provide income and food by supporting commercial and subsistence fisheries, as well as jobs and businesses through tourism and recreation. They also save lives as an important source of new medicines being developed for treating cancer, arthritis and infections. Not only are coral reef structures areas of natural beauty and recreation, but they are also natural barriers that buffer shorelines from wave action, storms and floods — helping to protect coastal communities. These coral reef ecosystems have survived millions of years of natural disturbances, such as storms, floods and climate change. Today, coral reefs are deteriorating worldwide at alarming rates due to multiple stressors including: polluted runoff from agricultural and land-use practices, over-harvesting, destructive fishing practices, vessel groundings and anchor damage, marine debris, global climate change and disease. An estimated 27 percent of the world’s reefs have already been lost or severely damaged, while another 58 percent are still threatened. The rapid decline of the world's productive and economically vital coral reefs represents a serious threat to consumers, businesses, communities and the environment.

Coral reefs in the United States cover approximately 7,577 square miles and comprise approximately two percent of the world’s reefs. This includes the third largest barrier reef in the world, the Florida Keys, and the second largest reef protected area in the world, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, which is about 1,200 miles long. Fortunately, NOAA and the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and many other organizations are working to reduce threats to coral reefs in the United States and internationally in an effort to protect, restore and sustainably use coral reef ecosystems for current and future generations.

The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, co-chaired by Tim Keeney, deputy assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere, and Craig Manson, assistant secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, will meet Feb. 24-25, 2004, at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. The task force was established in June 1998 by Executive Order #13089 and through the coordinated efforts of its members, has helped lead U.S. efforts to protect, restore and sustainably use the nation’s valuable coral reef ecosystems. Members of the task force include representatives of 12 federal agencies; the Governors of seven states, territories and commonwealths; and the leaders of the Freely Associated States (the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands).

During this 11^th meeting of the task force, members will provide progress reports on implementation of the U.S. National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs and on issues and resolutions from past meetings, take action on new issues and hear public comments. The meeting will include specific discussions on progress towards implementation of the three-year Local Action Strategies.

History of the Local Action Strategies
In October 2002, the task force met in Puerto Rico and passed a resolution aimed to improve implementation of the U.S. National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs. The resolution, now known as the Puerto Rico Resolution, identified four impediments to implementation and recommended solutions to address them. These recommendations included:

• Endorsing six focus areas for priority action: land-based sources of pollution, overfishing, lack of public awareness, recreational overuse and misuse, climate change, coral bleaching and disease;
• Developing Local Action Strategies for relevant Focus Areas;
• Establishing two regional subcommittees to support local action;
• Identifying methods for tracking progress toward national goals; and
• Highlighting needs and opportunities to strengthen human resources for reef conservation.

A centerpiece of the resolution was the development of three-year LAS in each state and territory to improve coordinated implementation of coral reef conservation. This recommendation was developed out of a series of interviews and meetings that highlighted the need to strengthen coordination among and between different levels of government.

Since the October 2002 meeting, LAS teams comprised of federal, state and local representatives have been working to develop these three-year strategies for each of the jurisdictions (American Samoa, the commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Draft LAS were presented at the October 2003 Task Force meeting held in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands and Guam. The teams are currently working to finalize their LAS and begin implementation of projects in 2004.

Special Events During the 11^th meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force
The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Outreach and Education Working Group has organized special events for the first day of the meeting (Feb. 24, 2004). These activities will include a morning mini-symposium to update the public and task force members on initiatives to increase awareness of the threats facing coral reefs. During the afternoon, science panels will be held on land-based sources of pollution and climate change — two issues identified by the Task Force as key threats to the health of coral reefs.

During the morning session, speakers will present case studies and examples of efforts that have led to positive improvements in coral reef outreach and education. Representatives of federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and other interested parties are invited to participate in this mini-symposium. Following the morning session, the first afternoon science panel will focus on the impact of land-based sources of pollution on coral reefs and the second panel will focus on climate and coral bleaching. Both panels will include speakers from the federal government, NGO’s and the academic community. The panels will discuss the latest scientific research and issues that are faced when addressing these threats.

In addition to the events on February 24, a new campaign to promote awareness of coral reefs will bring billboards to several U.S. sites just prior to the February task force meeting. These billboards, with messages on issues such as safe diving in coral reef areas and on threats to coral reefs (such as pollution, anchor damage, and boat groundings) will be installed in Miami, Dulles, Baltimore-Washington, Reagan National and New York’s LaGuardia International Airports by early February 2004. The billboards will be installed in the busiest airports, highways and other target sites near coral reefs or in areas of high-transit for people traveling to destinations with coral reefs. Several billboards will also be installed in outdoor locations in Miami, Puerto Rico and in the Washington, D.C., area. This project was lead by Marc Pierson of the Urban Arts Institute at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston and supported in part by NOAA through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Coral Reef Conservation Fund.

The Coral Reef Conservation Fund
The Coral Reef Conservation Fund is a partnership between the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and was created to support both U.S. and international local governments and non-governmental conservation organizations in their efforts to conserve, protect and restore coral reefs. The fund was established in 2001 as part of the implementation of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. Priorities for the Fund include on-the-ground projects that work to minimize human impacts to coral reefs. For example, the fund supports projects such as the installation of mooring buoys at popular diving sites, education of boaters and coastal residents and efforts to reduce sedimentation in coral reef areas.

The fund has leveraged $2.83 million in NOAA funds with $4.69 million in matching funds for a total of $7.52 million to support 88 coral reef conservation projects over the last three years. The fund supports public-private partnerships that provide solutions to specific problems in order to help prevent coral reef degradation through one or more of the following activities:

• Reducing impacts from pollution and sedimentation;
• Reducing impacts from over-harvesting and other fishing activities;
• Reducing impacts of recreational uses, tourism and boating;
• Restoring damaged reefs or associated reef habitats; and
• Increasing community awareness through education and stewardship activities.

In addition to the NFWF Coral Reef Conservation Fund, the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program provides support for coral reef activities through the Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program. This program supports a number of grants each year under the following themes:

• State and Territory Coral Reef Ecosystem Management;
• State and Territory Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring;
• Coral Reef Ecosystem Research;
• Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans;
• General Coral Reef Conservation; and
• International Coral Reef Conservation.

Pre-applications are due March 12, 2004. Additional information on coral reef funding opportunities is available at http://www.coralreef.noaa.gov/funding.html.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Coral Reefs Page

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve

NOAA Home page

U.S. Coral Reef Task Force members

CRTF Puerto Rico Resolution

NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Fund

Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000

NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program

NOAA Coral Reef Funding Opportunities

NOAA Coral Reef Information System

10th U.S. CORAL REEF TASK FORCE MEETING IN CNMI AND GUAM

NOAA RELEASES FIRST NATIONAL STUDY OF U.S. CORAL REEFS: New Report Highlights Key Actions and Addresses Threats

COMMERCE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES $34 MILLION FUNDING FOR CORAL REEF CONSERVATION: U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Recognizes Outstanding Achievements

Media Contact:
Glenda Powell , NOAA Ocean Service, (301) 713-3066 ext. 191 or Ben Sherman, NOAA Ocean Service, (301) 713-3066 ext. 178