Steve Turek |
National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs
In 2000, the CRTF adopted the National Action Plan to Coral Reef Conservation
(National Action Plan), the first
U.S. plan to comprehensively address the most pressing threats to coral reefs. The National Action Plan is
designed to be the nation’s roadmap to more effectively understand coral reef ecosystems and reduce the
adverse impacts of human activities. The plan identifies two fundamental themes and thirteen distinct
conservation strategies for immediate and sustained national action:
Understand coral reef ecosystems and the natural and anthropogenic processes that determine their
health and viability;
Quickly reduce the adverse impacts of human activities on coral reefs and associated ecosystems.
The NAP is designed to serve as a long-term plan and provides the guiding framework for the priorities,
strategies, and implementation plans of the Task Force and its members. In 2002, the CRTF collaborated
to produce a complementary document, A National Coral Reef Action Strategy
(National Action Strategy) mandated by the Coral Reef Conservation Act (CRCA)
of 2000, which is designed to addresses priorities and strategies in the short term.
The following are highlights of the thirteen goals:
Mapping
Develop comprehensive digital maps of all shallow coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. and characterize
priority moderate-depth reef systems by 2009.
To date in early 2005, 4,308 km2 of U.S. coral reefs have been mapped.
Assessments, Inventories, and Monitoring
Implement a nationally coordinated program to inventory, assess, and monitor U.S. coral reefs that links
new efforts to successful, on-going programs.
Strategic Research
Conduct additional research to improve our knowledge of the processes that regulate the health of coral
reef ecosystems, and identify the causes, consequences, and solutions to reef decline.
Social and Economic Factors
Assess the human dimension of coral reef resources and incorporate social, economic, and cultural values into
conservation and management activities. Understanding the value and human use of coral reefs is critical to
reducing the threats and sustaining healthy reef systems and the communities that depend on them.
Marine Protected Areas
Improve management of coral reef resources through a strengthened and expanded network of coral reef
marine protected areas. Strengthen networks of coral reef protected areas and, by 2010, protect 20% of U.S.
coral reefs as marine reserves.
In 2000–2004 Task Force members worked with communities and stakeholders to establish 37 new protected areas and reserves in six jurisdictions—USVI, Hawai`i, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, CNMI, and Florida.
Sustainable Fishing
Reduce the impacts of fishing and other extractive uses to protect coral reef ecosystems and ensure
sustainable fisheries.
Managing Coastal Impacts
Reduce the impact of human coastal activities on coral reef ecosystems. States, territories, and federal
agency are working together to better manage activities on land and water that affect coral reef resources
including habitat destruction, sediment runoff, and various other pollutants.
Reduce Pollution
Significantly reduce the amounts, sources, and cumulative impacts of pollution on coral reefs by fully
implementing existing federal and state authorities.
Restoration
Increase the capability of federal and nonfederal managers to efficiently and effectively restore injured or
degraded coral reefs.
Outreach and Education
Increase awareness and understanding of the ecological, cultural, and socioeconomic importance of coral
reef ecosystems among the widest possible audience.
The CRTF established a formal Education and Outreach Working Group in 1999.
International Threats
Exercise global leadership through commitment to and collaboration with domestic and international
partners to protect and conserve coral reefs and associated ecosystems globally.
International Trade
Reduce the adverse impacts of the collection of and trade in coral reef animals, encourage more
responsible trade, and encourage the conservation and management of coral reef ecosystems, both
domestically and internationally.
Coordination, Accountability, and Partnerships
Increase communication, collaboration, and accountability within and among Task Force members.
Cooperatively produce the Implementation of the National Coral Reef Action Strategy: Report on U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Agency Activities from 2002-2003
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