These are a few key documents that relay coral program and
policy information, descriptions of the state of corals, and strategies for
preserving coral ecosystems. They are listed here for easy access.
Each entry includes title, a link to the document, and a brief
description of the publication.
Legislation and Congressional Reports
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Title: |
Presidential Executive Order #13089 (pdf, 61 kb) |
Abstract: |
The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF) was established in
1998 by Presidential Executive Order #13089 to lead U.S. efforts
to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. Co-chaired by the
Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior, the
CRTF includes leaders of 12 federal agencies, seven U.S. states
and territories, and three freely associated states. Learn more
about the CRTF at http://www.coralreef.gov/. |
|
Title: |
The National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs (NAP) (pdf, 211 kb) |
Abstract: |
In 2000, the CRTF adopted the NAP, the first U.S. plan to
comprehensively address the most pressing threats to coral
reefs. Learn more about the NAP at http://www.coralreef.gov/. |
|
Title: |
Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (CRCA) (pdf, 36 kb) |
Abstract: |
The CRCA formally established NOAA's Coral Reef
Conservation Program and laid out a number of mandates for
NOAA aimed at the preservation, sustainability and restoration of
U.S. coral reef ecosystems. |
|
Title: |
A National Coral Reef Action Strategy: Report to Congress 2002-2003 (NAS) (pdf, 2.06 mb) |
Abstract: |
In September 2002, NOAA, in cooperation with the CRTF,
released the NAS, a nation-wide status report to Congress on
implementation of the National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs
and the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. Learn more about the
NAS at http://coris.noaa.gov/activities/actionstrategy/. |
|
Title: |
Implementation of the National Coral Reef Action Strategy:
Report to Congress on U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Agency Activities
From 2002 to 2003 |
Abstract: |
In September 2005, NOAA, in cooperation with the CRTF,
released this document, which provides a nation-wide status report
on implementation of the National Action Plan to Conserve Coral
Reefs and the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. |
|
Title: |
Implementation of the National Coral Reef Action Strategy:
Report to Congress (2008) |
Abstract: |
In June 2008, NOAA, in cooperation with the USCRTF,
released this document, which is the second of the biennial
progress reports required by the Coral Reef Conservation Act of
2000. The report provides summaries and examples of the activities
conducted by the USCRTF members and their extramural partners in
2004 to 2006 to implement the thirteen goals addressed in the
National Coral Reef Action Strategy. It also presents a brief
analysis of the future opportunities and challenges facing coral
reef ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. |
|
Title: |
U.S. Ocean Action Plan |
Abstract: |
On September 20, 2004,
the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy completed a thorough and
expansive report, An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century. On
December 17, 2004, President Bush submitted to Congress his formal
response, the U.S. Ocean Action Plan. Pages 20-21 of the
report focus specifically on the promotion of coral reef and deep
coral conservation and education. |
|
Title: |
Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Deep Sea
Coral Research and Technology Program |
Abstract: |
On March 13th, NOAA released the first report to Congress on
the Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology
Program, called for in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (MSRA). The report
provides information on steps taken by NOAA and its partners to
identify, monitor, and protect deep sea coral areas. Sections provide
a brief discussion of current knowledge and knowledge gaps about deep
sea corals (also known as deep water or cold-water corals), NOAA's
expertise and authorities to conserve deep sea coral communities,
and summaries of management actions taken by NOAA, the Fishery
Management Councils, other federal agencies, and international
organizations in 2007. The final section highlights research
priorities for 2009 and recommendations for addressing knowledge
gaps. |
|
Reports on the Status of Coral Reefs
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Title: |
The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific
Freely Associated States: 2002 |
Abstract: |
Called for by the NAP, this is the first biennial report on
the condition of U.S. coral reefs. It is the scientific baseline
for subsequent reports on the health of U.S. coral reef ecosystems
that are to be used by NOAA and others to evaluate the efficacy of
coral reef conservation and management practices. |
|
Title: |
The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and
Pacific Freely Associated States: 2005 |
Abstract: |
This is the second in the series of reports characterizing
the condition of shallow water coral reef ecosystems in the United
States and Pacific Freely Associated States. The first report
provided a broad introduction to and a preliminary look at the
status of coral reef ecosystems and was based primarily on
qualitative information from the contributing authors. The 2005
report differs from its predecessor in that it is based primarily on
the most recent quantitative monitoring data available, rather than
qualitative assessments of ecosystem conditions. |
|
Title: |
The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and
Pacific Freely Associated States: 2008 |
Abstract: |
This is the third in the series of reports characterizing
the condition of shallow water coral reef ecosystems in the United
States and Pacific Freely Associated States. This report is
similar to the first report in that it incorporates the work of many
scientists and managers from across the world. The first report
provided a broad introduction to and a preliminary look at the
status of coral reef ecosystems and was based primarily on
qualitative information from the contributing authors. The 2005 and
2008 report differ from the 2002 report in that the more recent
reports are based primarily on the most current quantitative
monitoring data available, rather than qualitative assessments of
ecosystem conditions. |
|
Title: |
Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2004 |
Abstract: |
This biennial report documents how human activities continue
to be the primary cause of the global coral reef crisis. Written
by the Global Coral Reef
Monitoring Network and the International Coral Reef
Initiative, the report contains the recommendations and
requests from over 80 countries to conserve and manage their coral
reef resources. The Status of Coral Reefs of the World
series is also available for 2002,
2000,
and 1998. |
|
Title: |
The State of Deep Coral Ecosystems of the United States: 2007 |
Abstract: |
NOAA released a new report prepared by NOAA's
Coral Reef Conservation Program. The report, written by experts in
seven regions around the country, provides an up-to-date assessment of
deep coral ecosystems in U.S. waters including: the biology of deep
corals and their associated species, their spatial distribution, the
stressors that may threaten their survival, current management measures,
and regional priorities for future research. |
|
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Accomplishment Reports
The following documents summarize the Fiscal Year
activities of NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program.
|
Title: |
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Summary of 2003 Accomplishments (pdf, 405 kb) or Text
Only Version (pdf, 132 kb) |
Abstract: |
This
9-page document summarizes the Fiscal Year 2003 activities of NOAA's
Coral Reef Conservation Program. |
|
Title: |
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Summary of 2004 Accomplishments (pdf, 1.8 mb) |
Abstract: |
This 11-page document summarizes the Fiscal Year 2004
activities of NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. |
|
Title: |
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Summary of 2005 Accomplishments (pdf, 125 kb) |
Abstract: |
This 3-page document summarizes the Fiscal Year 2005 activities of
NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. |
|
Title: |
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Summary of 2006 Accomplishments (pdf, 101 kb) |
Abstract: |
This 2-page document summarizes the Fiscal Year 2006 activities of
NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. |
|
Title: |
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Summary of 2007 Accomplishments (pdf, 104 kb) |
Abstract: |
This 2-page document summarizes the Fiscal Year 2007 activities of
NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. |
|
Title: |
Progress Report: The Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program |
Abstract: |
In December 2003 the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
released a report to Congress on the implementation of the Coral
Reef Conservation Grant Program, established by the CRCA. The
report provides an overview of the program, highlights its
achievements in each of the topic areas, and provides specific
information on all 83 grants awarded in fiscal years 2002 and
2003. |
|
Title: |
Profiles of NOAA's Activities on Deep Coral Communities (pdf, 1.3 mb) |
Abstract: |
This evolving document provides an overview of NOAA's deep
coral communities-related activities, with the purpose of supplying
a tool for identifying connections and potential collaborations
among programs. |
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