What is being done to protect Coral Reefs? Reef Conservation

Protecting Corals:

Coral reefs are some of the most important ecosystems we have in our wold. They are  biologically rich and provide economical value to our world. The reefs provide protection to billions of people, provide food, jobs, as well as income to many companies. You can see how many people would be affected without these complex organisms around right? As of right now coral reefs are disappearing at a fast rate. It has been reported by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)  that about 19% of the Earth’s coral reefs are now dead, with rising sea temperatures and seawater acidification to blame.  

The coral reefs and the organisms that depend upon them are in danger of disappearing and even extinction if we do not take action to protect these reefs. Coral reefs make up only 0.2% of our oceans, but they are home to over 25% of all marine fish species. The United Nations predicts that the Earth is on the brink of a massive extinction event, with some studies even suggesting 25% of the planet’s species will be extinct by 2050.

Below is a basic video to watch the importance of Coral Reefs and to understand the detrimental affects that are killing off these reefs has. These threats not only harm the reefs but serve as a domino affect, effecting other aspects of life as well.

“Why should we care about coral reefs“by Youtube under CC by 2.0

Now this video shows why coral reefs are so important not only to us as humans but they create a whole ecosystem to help maintain the life of many organisms. Without these reefs the life of many would suffer. Scientists are now trying to find ways to prevent these harmful affects.

As stated in the video above, these reefs are threatened by many factors such as pollution, bleaching, climate change, disease, and invasive species. If we do not stop the affects of these factors we may lose a whole lot more than just the corals. You can take a look at my other blog post about global warming and the affects to coral reefs here. The rapid decline of coral reefs will provide a significant social, economic and environment issues around the world.

The decline and danger of corals started to gain attention by the government in 1998. Since then, the United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) was established in 1998 by Presidential Executive Order to get the U.S. to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems.

What is the USCRTF?

The USCRTF was established by the President of the United States of that time. This was aimed to protect and conserve coral reefs.

The USCRTF maps and monitors the U.S coral reefs, as well as helping to identify the problems causing the decline in reefs such as looking into pollution and over fishing. Their goals as a task force is to find solutions to these problems and promote conservation and the sustainable use of coral reefs to the public. By working together with other organizations they try to find the best possible ways to save these reefs. The USCRTF is responsible for many things which include but is not limited to:

• Implementation of Executive Orders
• Developing efforts to map and monitor coral reefs
• Research the cause and find solutions to these causes of reef decline
• Reduce cord reef degradation from pollution, and over fishing
• Implementing strategies to promote conservation and education to the public internationally

In 2000, the USCRTF adopted the National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs (National Action Plan).  This was the first blueprint for U.S domestic and international actions to address the issues of coral reef decline. This plan consists of conservation strategies to address the challenges that the reef are facing today.

By 2002, the USCRTF developed the U.S. Coral Reef National Action Strategy (National Action Strategy) to further regulate the National Action Plan which was adopted in 2000. The U.S. Coral Reef National Action Strategy documents provide the  framework for the priorities, strategies, and actions of the USCRTF and its members.

“Coral Reef Task Force” by  Wikimedia Commons  under CC by 2.0

TASK FORCE MEMBERS

The USCRTF membership which was established in 1998 consists of many members such as 12 Federal agencies, 7 U.S. States, Territories, Commonwealths, and 3 Freely Associated States. USCRTF members meet biannually to discuss key issues, propose new actions, present progress reports, as well as provides updates on accomplishments and future plans.

Listed below are all the members who are part of the USCRTF:

Co-Chairs

U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA

U.S. Department of the Interior

Federal Agency Members

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Department of Defense (DoD)

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Department of State (DOS)

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA)

National Science Foundation (NSF)

State and Territory Members

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

State of Florida

State of Hawaii

Territory of Guam

Territory of American Samoa

Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)

Organizations Making a Difference

Similar to USCRTF there are many organizations out there trying to make a difference by saving the coral reef and community that surrounds it. Below are four well known organizations trying similar tactics by identify the problems and finding solutions for them to protect the coral reef and the ecosystem as a whole.

Coral Reef Alliance

The Coral Reef Alliance is one of the many organizations whose goal is to protect and conserve coral reefs. Some of their strategies are listed below:

• Reducing local threats to coral reefs (i.e. including over fishing, unsustainable tourism, poor water quality, and unsustainable development)
• Improving reef management so those responsible for the creation, enforcement of protected areas have the tools and financial support they need
• Working with the tourism industry and to educate visitors about the importance of the coral reefs

NOAA 

“NOAA” by  Wikimedia Commons  under CC by 2.0

Like the Coral Reef Alliance organization, NOAA also has a program designed to address the primary threats of the coral reef ecosystem. Many of the same strategic ideas used by the Coral Reef Alliance are also used by NOAA. NOAA mains goal is to provide strategic ridge-to-reef conservation activities by forming strong partnerships. NOAA helps out in developing management plans, provides trainings and workshops on implementing the best management tips to reduce pollution, excess release of co2 and how to restore marine habitats as well as public education.

NOAA’s coral reef conservation efforts are carried out through its Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). With this program NOAA has strong partnerships with scientific, private, government, and nongovernmental organizations to achieve the goals of the CRTF. Lastly, NOAA is known for its public outreach and education. They inform and engage the public on the important of coral reef conservation and uses new tools to increase awareness. You can follow them on Twitter to see how they are getting the word out to the public.

Ocean Conservancy

Ocean Conservancy is another organization whose goal is to conserve every part of the ocean and marine life that surrounds it. It wants to promote health and diverse ocean ecosystem and to stop/limit the practices that threaten marine and human life. They focus on some of the main problems threatening the marine life such as ocean acidification, trash, and helping set up sustainable fisheries to proven over fishing and the harmful affects of tourism.

“Cleaning up trash” by Wikimedia Commons  under CC by 2.0

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

NFWF is the last organization we will discuss and probably one of the most well known. It was created by Congress in 1984 and since then has become one of the worlds largest conservation organization. They work with both the public and private areas to help protect and restore the nations fish, wildlife and habitats that surrounds them.

NFWF supports conservation efforts in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NFWF has a primary focus on bringing together parties, getting results, and finding better solutions to help the future world. NFWF leads conservation financially with a funding budget up to $3.8 billion dollars.

Due to the major threats happening to the coral reefs ecosystem NFWF has been responding to these problems by taking on multiple coral conservation initiatives in an aim to limit the threats, increase public awareness and find solutions to the problems of the decline of coral reefs both domestically and internationally.

To do this NFWF works with many different partners to achieve these ideas for coral conservation. Some of these programs include programs that were discussed above in the post such as managing the Coral Reefs Program with NOAA’s Coral Program and USDA-NRCS. NFWF specializes in bringing all parties together (i.e. individuals, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and corporations). This promotes a solid foundation to protect and restore species, promote healthy oceans, improve wildlife habitat, help with sustainable fisheries, and conserving water. To date, NFWF has supported projects for coral reef conservation totaling over $34 million in about 39 countries giving them a global outreach.

All these programs and organization aid in the conservation of coral reefs and oceanic life. Not only can these programs help educate the public and find solutions into helping the endangered coral reefs but there are also things you can do to conserve the coral reefs.

What can YOU do to protect coral reefs?

Do you want to make a difference? Here are simple and effective actions that you can do to help save coral reefs and the fish, plants and animals that depend on these complex ecosystems.

1. Conserve water: The less water you use the better. This is because the less runoff and wastewater will pollute our oceans.
2. Help reduce pollution: Walk, bike or use public transportation. This will eliminate fossil fuel emissions from the cars that contribute to the increase in CO2 and ocean warming, which leads to mass coral bleaching.
3. Do not use pesticide:  These products can flow into the water system, and pollute the ocean and harm coral reefs and marine life.
4. Dispose of your trash properly: Do not liter! Make sure you throw out plastic and trash you see on the beaches and land. These can end up into the ocean and killing marine life.
5. Support reef-friendly businesses: By asking fishing, boating, drive or snorkeling operators how they protect the reef you are able to educate them as well as learn if they are working towards conserving the coral reefs.
6. Plant a tree: Trees reduce runoff into the oceans. You will also contribute to reversing the warming of our planet and the rising temperatures of our oceans.
7. Practice safe and responsible diving and snorkeling: Do not touch the reef or anchor your boat on the reef. Contact with the coral will damage the delicate coral reef and kill it.
8. Contact your government representatives: Demand laws are put into place to protect the coral reefs by stopping sewage pollution and expanding marine protected areas.
9. Spread the word: Education is key! Share your knowledge with friends and family to spread the word on to how to save coral reefs and the organisms dependent upon them.

“Poisoning Water is Genocide” by Wikimedia Commons  under CC by 2.0

Monitoring, research, and restoration are the most important things to helping us save coral reefs. However, the only way to ultimately protect the reefs are through legal mechanisms. One legal mechanism involves the establishment of marine protected areas. This is because marine protected areas have a law behind them that can be enforced. This may allow for a better chance of survival. With the right tools, education, and research we are taking the right steps into saving the coral reefs.