U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

A hawkbill sea turtle, one of several endangered species that depend on coral reefs.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. As threats mount to coral reefs worldwide, FWS is applying its unique expertise to protect these resources through a variety of management and operational programs. FWS manages 13 National Wildlife Refuges that include significant coral reefs. FWS also protects and restores reefs and other species and habitats, enforces laws, and works with other countries to foster reef conservation worldwide. Virtually all of these approaches are founded upon partnerships¾collaborative efforts with other Federal agencies, State, local, and Territorial governments, and concerned private groups. In combination, these dedicated partners can help reduce the threats to coral reefs and conserve these vital parts of our global heritage.

Programs and Recent Accomplishments Related to Coral Reefs National Wildlife Refuges: FWS manages 10 National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) in the Pacific, which include approximately 2,164,000 acres of coral reefs and adjacent ocean habitat, and 3 refuges in South Florida and the Caribbean totaling more about 756,000 acres. Among these are two of the System's newest refuges - Palmyra Atoll NWR and Kingman Reef NWR. Established in 2001, these refuges contain some of the most extensive and biologically important reefs in the Pacific. The Refuge System administers a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. To ensure that long-term conservation goals are achieved, the FWS is developing and implementing Comprehensive Conservation Management Plans for all of its refuges with coral reefs. Refuges are also developing and employing innovative tools for managing coral reefs, including marine zoning, habitat restoration, education and outreach, law enforcement, research and monitoring, and improving the public's enjoyment of the refuges. Coral Reef Conservation, Restoration, and Protection: One FWS goal is to ensure that human activities do not adversely affect coral reefs or species, such as endangered sea turtles, that rely on healthy reefs. FWS programs for endangered species protection, coastal habitat restoration, fisheries management, review of Federal actions, as well as direct assistance to States and Territories all help to conserve coral reefs. For example, millions of dollars are provided annually to States and Territories through the Sportfish Restoration Program administered by FWS for managing and protecting their coral reef fisheries and habitats. The FWS is also statutorily designated to comment on Clean Water Act section 404 permits and other water-related development activities under Federal authorization or permit. FWS biologists regularly coordinate with Federal, State, Territorial, and private groups to ensure that during project development, coral reef fish and wildlife are considered equally with other project-related features and adverse impacts to coral reef ecosystems from coastal and nearshore marine projects are avoided or reduced. When accidents harm reefs, FWS works with partners to assess the damage and expedite reef recovery. Other coral conservation efforts are more proactive: for example, the coastal partnership program implements projects that protect coastal habitats before they are degraded. Examples of conservation efforts include conducting surveys of coral reefs near proposed development projects to assess potential impacts, developing recommendations to preserve the integrity of reefs, and deploying navigational aids in areas to prevent boat groundings and anchor damage.

Restoring Damaged Reefs: In August 1997, the Fortuna Reefer ran aground off Mona Island, Puerto Rico (left photo), devastating some of the island's most pristine reefs. After the ship was removed, FWS biologists worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to survey the damaged reef. A massive restoration effort (right) is underway, and the recovery of the reef will be monitored

Enforcing International Trade Laws: An FWS wildlife inspector examines a shipment of live coral specimens.

The United States is the primary market for imported coral, which is used in jewelry and the aquarium trade. In 1989, concern about the effects of international coral trade prompted the countries involved with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species to list all stony corals in Appendix II, which allows enforcement agencies to monitor and regulate commercial imports. FWS supports international trade laws by inspecting coral imports, intercepting illegal shipments, and collecting and maintaining U.S. trade data for coral reef species. International efforts to control the trade of corals include development of the Guide to Indian and Pacific Corals Common in the Wildlife Trade, a reference to assist inspectors and enforcement officers. FWS is working with partners to combat the use of sodium cyanide poisoning, a method for collecting live reef fish for food and the aquarium industry that causes widespread destruction of the living reef.

International Conservation of Coral Reefs: FWS is fostering the conservation of reefs in other countries through training and education programs, as well as projects that promote the conservation of species and habitats within a water-shed framework. Among the important habitats linked to coral reefs and targeted for conservation are seagrass beds and mangrove forests. The Western Hemisphere Program sponsors protected area manager training through two international programs, Mexico/RESERVA and Brazil/AMUC. The program also awards small grants to promote the involvement of local communities and organizations in coral reef conservation activities.