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

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002
requirements and risk management options; and determined prevention, mitigation or
remediation strategies. Major needs identified are to: standardise the terms, procedures
and protocols; clarify the basic research and technology developments; and improve the
mechanisms for technology transfer, scientific training, and public education. The Coral
Disease and Health: A National Research Plan is scheduled for release in late 2002.
Hopefully this improved attention to coral reef issues in this region will continue, and
improve our understanding of how these ecosystems respond to anthropogenic stresses
and how to develop management plans that protect the resources by minimising the
stresses. It is recognised that a multi-disciplinary and cooperative approach is needed for
better management of coral reef areas.
INTRODUCTION AND GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT
This report on the status of U.S. Caribbean coral reef ecosystems has been summarised
from more detailed reports in ‘The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and
Pacific Freely Associated States: 2002.’ That report was authored by 38 recognised
technical experts and supported by 79 contributors from government agencies and NGOs.
The report is available at www.nccos.nos.noaa.gov.
Florida East Coast
The reefs in northern Monroe County to Vero Beach are a series of 3 discontinuous reef
rows parallel to the shore: First Reef rises to 3–5m of the surface with very low profile
cover of algae and small octocorals; Second Reef at 6–8m depth has more complex relief
that includes dissecting channels and conspicuous octocorals often in high density; and
Third Reef is at 15-22m with the most diversity and abundant hard corals, that include
Diploria clivosa, Dichocoenia stokesii, Montastraea cavernosa, and Solenastrea bournoni.
There has been strong recruitment of Acropora cervicornis in the past 3 years and clumps
of staghorn coral are common, especially in Broward County, along with large barrel
sponges (Xestospongia muta). The hard corals are larger on the Third than the Second
Reef and moderate sized colonies of Montastraea annularis are common. However, there
has been no growth of the elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) for more than 5,000 years.
Most reefs have been mapped and coral cover estimated for the first two rows, but less for
the deeper Third Reef. These reefs are protected from some impacts by Florida State
statutes and regulations e.g. fishing regulations, dredging permits, prohibition against
harvest, sale, or destruction of corals etc. In addition, mooring buoys have been established.
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys coral reefs extend from just south of Miami to the Dry Tortugas and
include the only emergent reefs off the continental USA. The Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary (FKNMS) was designated in 1990 to protect and conserve the nationally
significant biological and cultural marine resources of the area, including critical coral
reef habitats. The Sanctuary covers 9850 km 2 with 1400km 2 of coral reef and hard bottom
habitat (42% in Florida State territorial waters; and 58% in Federal waters i.e. more than
3 nautical miles offshore). The reefs comprise a bank reef system of almost continuous
reef communities in lines that run parallel to each another. There are several distinct habitats
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