#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002
water quality and the harvest of aquarium fish on reefs in the NWHI. The National Coral
Reef Monitoring program developed on-line databases for field data entry and tracking
research progress. Monitoring data were published in the first National Report on the
Status and Health of U.S. Coral Reef Ecosystems. Capacity in Hawaii to manage coral reefs
and fisheries was expanded, and an economic evaluation of coral reefs completed in 2002.
An Environmental Characterization of the Ahupua`a of Waianae, Hawaii, assembled
information on terrestrial and marine resources, land-use patterns, traditional Hawaiian
land and resource management concepts, and land cover data to identify potential stresses
to coral reefs and how to mitigate them.
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve was established to
conserve the coral reefs and related marine resources. Progress is encouraging on:
sanctuary designation and operations; research, mapping and monitoring; and marine
debris removal. Draft benthic habitat maps were completed for 9 of 10 areas and
bathymetry determined for all areas. A detailed atlas of the NWHI, will be available in
January 2003. A database was developed of abandoned vessels on coral reefs, standardised
protocols for managing vessel groundings, and a removal plan for problem vessels, along
with a spill response guide focusing on oil and sea turtles.
INTRODUCTION
There are 2 distinct components in the Hawaiian Archipelagos: predominantly recent
volcanic islands with fringing reefs and some associated patch and barrier reefs of the
Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI); and the older atolls and bank reefs of the Northwestern
Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). Most of these reefs are surrounded by deep oceanic waters and
occur in tropical to sub-tropical climates (latitude range 19–28°N). Together they
constitute 80% of the coral reefs under the jurisdiction of the USA, with 65% spread over
about 2,000km of the NWHI. These 2 regions also differ markedly in the degree of human
and land-based impacts. The NWHI are virtually uninhabited and have minimal impacts
from the small amount of land near the reefs, whereas there are strong and increasing
human pressures on the MHI with growing populations of residents and increasing
numbers of tourists.
Most of the reefs, however, are in fair to excellent condition and the level of government,
academic, community and NGO interest and management has increased considerably over
the past few years. More intervention is required on MHI with greater protection needed
for fish stocks and to reduce tourist impacts. The situation is more encouraging on the
NWHI which is the focus of considerable government interest in coral reef conservation.
The new Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, created by
Executive Order 13178 in 2000, is 1200 nautical miles long and covers 3-50 nmi from the
shoreline. It is expected that the Reserve will be designated a National Marine Sanctuary
and managed by NOAA, and the Executive Order has established 15 Reserve Preservation
Areas in which almost all extractive uses are prohibited.
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