Gregg, K.

Management considerations for the southeast Florida coral reef ecosystem

2013

West Palm Beach, FL

ECS-Federal, Inc.

Fishing, Diving, and Other Uses Project Management Considerations

42

"The purpose of this document is to convey information to stakeholders regarding Floridas coral reef and reef ecosystem components, describe existing state and federal management frameworks and illustrate a number of management approaches for use in developing a stakeholder-driven management planning process appropriate for southeast Florida. The need for management of coral reefs in Florida was first recognized in the Florida Keys over 50 years ago and is only recently being expanded to the entire Florida Reef Tract. Unlike the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and Biscayne National Park (BNP), there is currently no legislative mandate to develop a management plan for the portion of the Florida Reef Tract north of BNP. Under the auspices of the U.S. Coral Reef Taskforce (USCRTF), The Florida LAS was developed to address the need for conservation of coral reefs off southeast Florida, north of BNP. The Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI), administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Coral Reef Conservation Program, is a partnership of over 70 local, state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations who share a common mission: To develop and support the implementation of an effective strategy to preserve and protect southeast Floridas coral reefs and associated reef resources, emphasizing balance between resource use and protection, in cooperation with all interested parties. The SEFCRI arose from the need for research and management to reduce threats to coral reefs on the northern third of the Florida coral reef ecosystem. Research has been conducted, and data collected, in this region since SEFCRIs inception in 2004. SEFCRI is currently transitioning from a data collection phase into a management action phase. In the SEFCRI Management Options Identification Process, stakeholder working groups will use the results of nearly ten years of SEFCRI partner research, monitoring and assessments to make management recommendations to appropriate local, state and federal agencies to conserve coral reef and reef-associated resources in southeast Florida and develop a coordinated management plan. A review of marine resource management in Florida has shown four management approaches have been used to varying degrees: species-based management, activity-based management, place-based management and ecosystem-based management. Each type of management approach has advantages and disadvantages specific to the management type. Successful management plans, such as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Revised Management Plan, usually incorporate a combination of these approaches or management tools to balance natural resource protection with continued use of these resources. None of these management approaches can be successful without the participation and support of coral reef stakeholders including fishers, divers, tourism, and marine industries in southeast Florida."

Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative

Funding for this report was provided by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program and the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service