Acropora palmata was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in May 2006 (71 FR
26852). In 2012, the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed the reclassification of A. palmata
(77 FR 73219) as endangered, but determined in 2014, that they would remain listed as threatened
under the ESA (79 FR 53852). This coral is present only in the Caribbean where its existence is
threatened by infectious pathogens, pollution, and human activities. There is a critical need to conserve remaining stocks of corals, but the status of this species is unknown in many regions in the
Caribbean because the capacity to assess their condition and monitor reefs is lacking. This is
particularly challenging in many Caribbean locations (e.g., small island countries). With limited
financial and personnel resources, these managers lack access to a coordinated network of
collaborators. The goal of this workshop was to provide methods that can assist coral reef
managers, particularly those with limited resources, to assess and manage the health of their
respective coral populations with a focus on A. palmata as a sentinel species. Specific aims of this
workshop were as follows:
The format was a working meeting with twelve recognized experts that were tasked with developing a guidance document on disease surveillance and response. Each participant played a vital role in developing the methodology supporting this guidance document; their collective expertise included epidemiology, veterinary medicine, coral physiology, watershed characterization
Citation: Woodley CM, Taylor SM, Downs CA, Austin TJ, Bothwell J, Lawson AB, McCord MR, Ochoa-Vargas G, Risk MJ, Risk J, Thrusfield MV, Work TM (2015) Guidance for an Epidemiological
Strategy and Establishing a Disease Surveillance Network for Caribbean Acropora palmata.
NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 197 and CRCP 21. National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, Charleston, SC. 18pp. doi: 10.7289/V5S75D9J
For more information, contact: