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

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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 252
Status of Coral Reefs in the US Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico including offshore patch reefs, seagrass beds, back reefs and reef flats, bank or transitional reefs, intermediate reefs, deep reefs, outlier reefs, and sand and soft bottom areas. Texas Flower Garden Banks These are two prominent geological features on the edge of the continental shelf in the northwest Gulf of Mexico, approximately 190km southeast of Galveston, Texas. The Banks are uplifted Jurassic salt domes, rising from 100m depth to within 17m of the surface and have about 1.4km 2 of luxurious bank reefs on the shallowest portions of the East and West Flower Garden Banks. These are the most northerly coral reefs on the continental shelf of North America (27°52’ to 27°56’ North) and also some of the most isolated reefs of the Caribbean, being over 690km from the nearest reefs of Campeche Bank off Yucatan, Mexico. The East Flower Garden Bank (27°54’N; 93°36’W) contains about 70% of the coral area, with the rest on West Flower Garden Bank (27°52’N; 93°49’W) about 22km away. These reefs have only 21 coral species probably because they are so isolated, but coral cover is high (~50%) with crustose, coralline and calcareous green algae also common. The Flower Garden Banks are composed of large, closely spaced coral heads up to 3m in diameter and height, which are hollow in places due to bioerosion and separated by sand patches and channels. These corals grow from the top near 17m down to about 50m. The reefs were designated as the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) in 1992, and Stetson Bank was added in 1996. The Sanctuary covers 143km 2 and includes all the coral reef areas. Regulations protect the corals with prohibitions on: oil and gas exploration; anchoring or mooring of vessels over 30m; anchoring of smaller vessels near mooring buoys; injuring or taking coral and other marine organisms; use of fishing gear other than hook and line; discharging or depositing any substances or materials; altering the seabed; building or abandoning any structures; and using explosives or electrical charges. 253
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Status of Coral Reefs of the World:
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FOREWORD Our two governments have r
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CONTENTS Countries, States and Terr
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COUNTRIES, STATES AND TERRITORIES A
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Countries, States and Territories S
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INTRODUCTION We are pleased to endo
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Introduction Some of the larger fou
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Introduction Coral reefs are coming
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CLIVE WILKINSON A
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Executive Summary This report, howe
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Executive Summary GLOBAL AND REGION
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Executive Summary There is clear ev
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Executive Summary Key sites chosen
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Executive Summary • Europa and Sc
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Executive Summary CORAL REEF TARGET
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Executive Summary ICRI OPERATING UN
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Executive Summary COLLAPSE OF CORAL
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Executive Summary Prognosis for the
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Executive Summary concern is an out
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Executive Summary Southern Tropical
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Executive Summary Achievements in E
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7. STATUS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA CORAL R
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Status of Southeast Asia Coral Reef
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8. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN EAST AN
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Status of Coral Reefs in East and N
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9. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF AUSTRAL
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Status of Coral Reefs of Australasi
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10. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE SO
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Southw
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16. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF MESOAM
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Status of Coral Reefs of Mesoameric
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17. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE EA
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Easter
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18. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN SOUTHE
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Status of Coral Reefs in Southern T
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19. SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS, CORAL
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Sponsoring Organisations, Coral Ree
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#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

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