U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Committee (AIC) Report to the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Washington DC February 2014 D. Burdick, Guamreeflife Fran Castro, AIC Chair
Introduction F. Castro Thank you and welcome to the Governor Inos, CNMI Welcome and congratulations to Eileen Sobeck, new Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries Welcome new DOI Task Force co-chair, Lori Faeth, Acting Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas DNER
AIC Updates AIC Strategic Plan update for 2015-2019 AIC Vision: Thriving coral reef ecosystems, effectively managed to protect their cultural, environmental, and economic value for future generations. AIC Mission: To be a unified voice for the effective management of coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. and Freely Associated States. 1-pagers: American Samoa (new), Guam (new), CNMI, and RMI + AIC and LAS Website: http://allislandscommittee.org/
C. Rogers, USGS AIC Priority Issues
Proposed ESA Listing of 66 Coral Species Ensure determination is made with the best and most current science and information available. New information available: Dr. Charlie Veron s ecoregional report IPCC s Climate Change 2013 NOAA FPWC
Proposed ESA Listing of 66 Coral Species Endangered designation: Diverts resources Threatened designation: Allows for 4D rule AIC Request to NOAA: Reevaluate decision tool with information in Dr. Veron s report and IPCC s Climate NOAA Change 2013 report. AIC Request: Continue to engage the jurisdictions as process progresses, particularly in any 4D rule, to help in the effective management of coral reefs.
CRCA Reauthorization Contains critical measures to protect and manage coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. More beneficial to effectively managing coral reefs than listing corals under the Endangered Species Act. Wolcott Henry
CRCA Reauthorization AIC Key Targets: 1.Formalizing the definitions of coral and coral reef; 2.Articulating capacity and authority for response to coral reef ecosystem-related emergencies; and 3.Ratifying the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. AIC Request: Continue working with the Task Force in building support for CRCA reauthorization through common ground E. Figueroa
Coral Fellows Program Hawaii Coral Fellow, Anne Rosinski Puerto Rico Coral Fellow, Jeiger Medina Photos from NOAA Coral Fellowship Newsletter, November 2013 Responds to the need for increased capacity in the jurisdictions Provides a professional growth opportunity for Fellows Has not been funded since FY13. AIC continues to work with NOAA CRCP to build a new, more effective Fellows Program. AIC Request: Task Force member agencies work with the AIC to build a renewed, sustainable, and effective Program.
Coral Reef Institutes Important to the AIC Research services are useful to the jurisdictions Working together to ensure same level of services and based on jurisdictional priorities CCRI
S. Godwin Jurisdiction Updates
More updates in the AIC Chair s Report American Samoa Crown of Thorns Starfish outbreak Expanding Significant threat to Tutuila coral reef ecosystems CNMI Autonomous Reef Monitoring Systems (ARMS) deployed Harbors and marinas Saipan, Tinian, Rota Develop baselines for monitoring potential arrival of marine invasive species Photos from National Parks of American Samoa and NOAA PIFSC.
More updates in the AIC Chair s Report Florida Successful Our Florida Reefs Community Working Group event Kick off new community planning process for coral reef management options in SE Florida Guam 3rd annual Pig Derby December 2013 Reduce erosion and sedimentation loading onto Guam's coral reefs Photos from Christopher Boykin, Florida s Coral Reef Conservation Program and Christine Camacho, Watershed Special Projects Coordinator, GCMP of BSP
More updates in the AIC Chair s Report Hawaiʻi West Hawaiʻi Fisheries Management Area rules amended Prohibit take of sharks/rays Include 40 species permitted for aquarium fishery take Prohibits SCUBA spearfishing Puerto Rico MOU to protect the Isla Verde Reef Marine Reserve Signed bydner, Arrecifes Pro Ciudad, and the Municipality of Carolina Photos from James Watt (NOAA) and Arrecifes Pro Ciudad
More updates in the AIC Chair s Report U.S. Virgin Islands St. Thomas East End Reserves (STEER) marker buoys Completed the permitting process Buoys are ordered Installed in March Federated States of Micronesia (Affiliate) Standardized coral monitoring activities Datasets included in peer-reviewed publications Photos from Dept. of Planning and Natural Resources and FSM.
More updates in the AIC Chair s Report Republic of Palau (Affiliate) Micronesia Protected Areas Management Effectiveness tool Integrated to assess Protected Areas Network sites Republic of Marshall Islands (Affiliate) Continuing implementation of Reimaanlok, national conservation area plan for the MI. Photos from S. Victor, TNC.
Summary & Acknowledgements NOAA, FGBNMS
Summary Governor Inos Appreciate continued support for CRCA reauthorization; definitions for coral and coral reef, articulation of capacity and authority for emergency response, and ratification of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force NOAA reevaluate decision tool based on new information; Task Force Continue to communicate and engage with jurisdictions re: proposed ESA coral listing, particularly the 4D rule; Task Force Continue to work with the jurisdictions on a coordinated framework/statement for CRCA reauthorization; and Task Force Support building a sustainable, long-term, & effective Coral Reef Management Fellowship Program with the jurisdictions.
Acknowledgements Governor Eloy S. Inos (CNMI), thank you for being here today and for your continued support. U.S. Department of the Interior for hosting this meeting. Task Force member agencies, particularly NOAA and DOI, for continued support and partnership. Steering Committee co-chairs, Shannon and Liza, for planning and executing this meeting.
Questions?