Coral Reef Conservation Program

The NOAA Fisheries Service Southeast Region’s coral reef ecosystem conservation activities in Florida, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), and Navassa Island are realized by the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) and the Southeast Regional Office (SER), including the Caribbean Field Office and Habitat Conservation Division’s West Palm Beach Field Office.  These activities are part of NOAA Fisheries’ efforts on behalf of the Coral Reef Task Force established by President Clinton in June 1998 through Executive Order #13089. The Executive Order, identified as Coral Reef Protection, seeks to “preserve and protect the biodiversity, health, heritage, and social and economic value of U.S. coral reef ecosystems and the marine environment.”   The activities are also executed pursuant to the Coral Reef Conservation Act, which provides funding for NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP), Coral reef ecosystem conservation activities also support and strengthen efforts related to the implementation of NOAA mandates under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Endangered Species Act.

In concert with our partners in the CRCP, SER focuses its efforts on three main areas: outreach and education, coral reef ecosystem restoration, and coral reef ecosystem protection, including activities to strengthen management of marine resources and protected areas.  The success of the CRCP, especially restoration and protection efforts, depends largely on an informed and engaged constituent base and on effective collaboration with other federal, state, and local government agencies.  Therefore, SER emphasizes efforts to inform the public about the CRCP and NOAA Fisheries Service goals in implementing the provisions of the CRCP begun in FY02.  In addition, SER coordinates with the SEFSC so that the results of investigations may be applied to address management needs identified in Florida, Puerto Rico and USVI.

Specific SER activities funded through the CRCP include:

• Assisting the USVI Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife (www.vifishandwildlife.com) update commercial fishing regulations and create recreational fishing regulations

• Assisting the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (www.drna.gobierno.pr) in management and protection efforts within La Parguera Natural Reserve, La Cordillera Reefs Natural Reserve, Guánica State Forest and Biosphere Reserve, Caja de Muertos Natural Reserve, and Canal Luis Peña No-Take Natural Reserve

• Providing support to the St. Croix Environmental Association (www.stxenvironmental.org) for the creation and operation of a Mobile Learning Lab with Marine Discovery Modules, as well as materials for enforcement officers in USVI to distribute to schools and other constituents to educate local people and tourists about the marine environment

• Coordinating with the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management as part of on-going efforts to map habitat within the Lake Worth Lagoon and develop management recommendations based on site inspections of coastal projects to avoid and minimize future impacts to marine habitats.  For more information on the Lake Worth Lagoon enhancement project, visit co.palm-beach.fl.us/erm/enhancement/lwlagoon.asp

• Creating numerous bilingual educational materials such as educational pamphlets regarding the importance of corals, seagrasses, and mangroves with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (www.gotopuertirico.com), educational signs for public beach facilities with the Puerto Rico National Parks Company (www.parquesnacionalespr.com), a bilingual CD with lesson plans related to corals, mangroves, seagrasses, and laws and regulations for their protection for students in USVI and Puerto Rico, educational videos regarding the marine ecosystems of Puerto Rico, a bilingual coral reef ecosystem coloring book, and a bilingual guide for recreational users regarding the location of marine protected areas in the U.S. Caribbean and the importance of marine conservation

For more information regarding the CRCP, please visit www.coralreef.noaa.gov.

Copies of many of the educational materials and other products produced as part of SER’s CRCP efforts can be accessed through the NOAA CoRIS site:

coris.noaa.gov.

Guide for recreational users related to safe boating and snorkeling tips for protecting the marine environment produced through the Caribbean Field Office.

Coral Reef Atlas for the Municipality of Cabo Rojo produced through the Caribbean Field Office in partnership with the Comité Caborrojeños Pro Salud y Ambiente, Inc.

 

Marine ecosystem coloring book produced through the Caribbean Field Office in cooperation with Efra Figueroa of Efra’s Visuals.

 

Informative pamphlet about coral reefs for tourists in Puerto Rico produced through the Caribbean Field Office in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

Educational signage produced through the Caribbean Field Office in cooperation with the Puerto Rico National Parks Company and installed in the Boquerón Public Beach facilities.

 

Playa Larga, Culebra

Playa Larga, Culebra

Christmas Cove, Great St. James, USVI

Coral Bay, St. John, USVI