Climate Change Action Plan for the Florida Reef System 2010-2015

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••Action 1.2.5: Ensure information onthe vulnerability of species and habitatsto climate change is incorporated intoassessments of threatened and endangeredspecies. (1, 4, 14)••Action 1.2.6: Prohibit any new dredging orother direct destruction of coralreefs. (10)Objective 1.3: Integrate climate change predictionsand uncertainties into Florida’s comprehensiveplanning laws and procedures.••Action 1.3.1: Require south Florida coastalcounties and municipalities to addresscoral reef conservation, climate changemitigation and adaptation in all relevantelements of their comprehensive plansincluding, but not limited to; future landuse, transportation, infrastructure, coastalmanagement, conservation, recreation andopen space, intergovernmental coordination,and capital improvements. (15)••Action 1.3.2: Include sea level rise adaptationand mitigation planning into county andmunicipal comprehensive plans. (15)••Action 1.3.3: Consider limiting certainkinds of development that are at riskfrom sea level rise. Develop state policy toprohibit rebuilding in places where climatechange and its associated impacts (strongerhurricanes and sea level rise) increasethe risk that structures may be subject torepeated and severe damage. (15)Objective 1.4: Work with Florida’s coral reefmanagement jurisdictions to improve regulatoryand management frameworks to facilitateadaptation to climate change and oceanacidification. (10)••Action 1.4.1: Evaluate and revise existingprograms and strategies (such as theFlorida Keys National Marine SanctuaryWater Quality Protection Program andthe existing marine protected areas in theFlorida Reef System) to optimize theireffectiveness and make them more robustin the context of creating resilience toclimate change. (1, 12)••Action 1.4.2: Work with federal and statefisheries management agencies to evaluaterisks of climate change for the sustainabilityof Florida’s reef fish and invertebratepopulations and associated fisheries, forincorporation in management plans. (4)••Action 1.4.3: Create a formal Florida ReefSystem Management Council, includingfederal, state, local, county managersand user groups to advise, recommend,and oversee a coordinated ecosystemmanagementapproach for the entireFlorida Reef System. (11)••Action 1.4.4: Work through the proposedFlorida Reef System Management Council(or other appropriate venue) to reviseregulations on coastal development andbeach nourishment projects to minimizesedimentation, storm water runoff, andother water quality impacts to the Floridareef system.••Action 1.4.5: Through the U.S. Coral ReefTask Force authority, evaluate existingresource protection legislation such as theNational Environmental Policy Act, CleanWater Act and the Endangered Species Actfor application to climate change relatedimpacts. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 14)••Action 1.4.6: Place mainland coralreefs under the authority of a principalmanagement agency. (10)10 2010–2015 — Climate Change Action Plan for the Florida Reef System
them and to “deputize” others to do sounder controlled circumstances. (1)Herbivores like this Diadema sea urchin play vital roleson coral reefs © HalBrindley.comObjective 1.5: Provide training opportunities forFlorida coral reef managers to increase theirunderstanding of the impacts of climate change,the predicted range, and uncertainty of changesthat will occur, and management strategies thataddress the impacts of climate change. (1, 2)••Action 1.5.1: Work with NOAA ClimateService, NOAA Coastal Services Center,the Department of Interior RegionalClimate Center, and other organizationsworking on climate change adaptation toprovide climate training and climate changetools for Florida’s reef managers.Objective 1.6: Decrease the likelihood of negativefishing, diving, and other reef use impacts to keyhabitats and important functional groups of plantsand animals (e.g. herbivores). (1, 4, 8, 14)••Action 1.6.1: Focusing the bulk of effortson resilient reef areas, increase lawenforcement presence, and regulatorycompliance to effectively implementmanagement regulations and protect thereef from further damage. (1)••Action 1.6.2: Work with local fishermen tokeep lobster and crab traps away from thereef, and fully implement the state’s lobstertrap reduction plan. Reduce ghost trapsby utilizing existing authority to enablefishermen and reef managers to remove••Action 1.6.3: Work with local fishing,boating, and diving industries to promoteminimum impact reef use activities (e.g.appropriate fishing gear, catch-and-releasefishing, trip-rigged anchors and manualanchor placement in sand) and voluntaryavoidance of bleached, diseased orotherwise stressed coral reefs. (1)••Action 1.6.4: Create a boating licensesimilar to a driver’s license. (1)Outcome 2: Identify the risks climatechange poses to Florida’s coral reefdependentpeople and industries,communicate those risks to affectedparties and work with them to developadaptation strategies that minimizethose risks. (10)Objective 2.1: Identify vulnerable reef-dependenthuman communities and determine how climatechange might affect them. (1, 12)••Action 2.1.1: Forecast the potential socialand economic effects of climate change onreef dependent industries and communitiesto measure their vulnerability and resilience,and determine cost-to-benefit ratios ofany proposed climate change mitigation/adaptation measures. (2, 12)Objective 2.2: Develop and implement effectivelocal communication programs to increaseawareness and appreciation of the Florida ReefSystem that provide relevant and up-to-dateinformation on climate change and oceanacidification effects to all audiences, includinglocal communities, Florida residents, businessesand industries, and tourists.• Action 2.2.1: Develop scientifically basedclimate change fact sheets tailored for reefusers, community members, visitors, electedofficials, business and industry to increaseClimate Change Action Plan for the Florida Reef System — 2010–201511
Page 4 and 5: Management of Florida’s Reef Syst
Page 6 and 7: Stony corals, soft corals, sponges
Page 8 and 9: ConclusionAn analysis of climate pr
Page 13 and 14: Outcome 3: Strengthen the scientifi
Page 15 and 16: Appendix 3 • Coral Reef and Clima
Page 17 and 18: ReferencesIPCC AR4 WGII. Climate Ch
Page 20: © Jeff Ripple

Climate Change Action Plan for the Florida Reef System 2010-2015

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