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Reduce Adverse Human Impact
The National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs calls on NOAA and its Coral Reef Task Force partners to reduce or eliminate the most destructive human-derived threats to coral reefs. The plan describes nine long-range, far-reaching strategies to address these threats:
- Expand and strengthen the network of coral reef marine protected areas (MPAs) and reserves;
- Reduce the adverse impacts of extractive uses such as overfishing;
- Reduce habitat destruction;
- Reduce pollution such as marine debris;
- Restore damaged reefs;
- Reduce global threats to reefs;
- Reduce impacts of international trade of coral reef resources;
- Improve interagency accountability and coordination; and
- Create an informed public.
In 2001, NOAA worked with many partners to implement new projects to address some of these goals. Plans are underway to address others in 2002.
Supporting MPAs and Reserves
Reducing Adverse Impacts
Supporting Conservation
Upcoming Plans
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Large, hard coral formations, like this table coral, support a dynamic ecosystem of thousands of marine organisms in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve. The National Action Plan calls for strengthening the use of marine protected areas, including reserves like this one, to help protect and sustain valuable reef resources.
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Supporting MPAs and Reserves
In 2001, NOAA began managing the newly established Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, which included hiring staff to coordinate management and research activities, developing a reserve operations plan, and beginning the designation process of the reserve as a national marine sanctuary. The agency also implemented a program to help the state of Hawaii evaluate the effectiveness of its existing system of MPAs.
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Reducing Adverse Impacts
In 2001, NOAA implemented priority actions that will help to identify and reduce the adverse effects of fishing on coral reef ecosystems. The agency also worked with U.S. territories to help them address complex coral reef fishery issues, and supported the efforts of regional fishery management councils to include ecosystem-scale management factors into their fishery management plans for coral reef habitats. NOAA also supported the installation of vessel monitoring systems on fishing vessels and the use of other enforcement mechanisms to protect sensitive reef areas in the NWHI and the Dry Tortugas Reserve.
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The National Action Plan tasks NOAA and its partners to reduce or eliminate the most destructive human-derived threats to coral reefs, including overfishing, marine pollution and habitat destruction.
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To reduce marine pollution, NOAA, in collaboration with the state of Hawaii, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy and others, implemented a major effort to clean up existing marine debris in the NWHI and Main Hawaiian Islands. At the end of 2001, more than 15 tons of debris had been collected, and cleanup efforts continue.
NOAA scientists, with the assistance of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, USFWS and the University of Hawaii, also developed environmental sensitivity index (ESI) maps for the marine and coastal area of the Hawaiian Islands. The ESI maps consolidate information on shoreline habitats, sensitive biological resources and human resources to help managers respond to emergencies such as hazardous materials spills in reef areas.
Supporting Conservation
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The import of corals from reefs like this into the U.S. increased during the 1990's. The U.S. prohibits coral extraction in its own waters.
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NOAA has continued to provide grants to support coral reef conservation projects in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. States, territories and commonwealths also received cooperative funds to build local capacity for long-term monitoring of coral reefs. In addition, the newly-established Coral Reef Conservation Fund, which was mandated by the Coral Reef Conservation Act, will provide funding to build public-private partnerships for projects that reduce and prevent degradation of coral reefs and associated habitats.
Upcoming Plans
Addressing coral reef issues will require long-term commitments and effective partnerships. In 2002, NOAA plans to continue the efforts already underway, and increase efforts to educate the public about the importance of coral reef ecosystem health, and their social and economic value. NOAA will continue to look for opportunities to partner with governmental and nongovernmental entities to address unmet needs.
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