What are we doing to protect Coral Reefs?

Mapping and Monitoring

• Benthic Habitats of the Florida Keys mapping project

• National Parks in America

Research

• America's Coral Reefs
  A Program for Mapping, Research, and Assessment to Insure Vitality, Protect Resources, and Understand Change
  A White Paper Resulting from a USGS-hosted Workshop, University of Hawaii, March 18-20, 1998

Conservation, Mitigation, and Restoration

• U.S. Department of the Interior: Protecting the Nation's Coral Reefs

• National Marine Sanctuaries
  The 12 sanctuaries conserve, protect, and enhance the biodiversity, ecological integrity, and cultural legacy of the nation's marine environment.

• The National Wildlife Refuge System

• Executive Order 13089

Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network

International Cooperation

• International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is a partnership among nations and organizations seeking to implement Chapter 17 of Agenda 21, and other international conventions and agreements, for the benefit of coral reefs and related ecosystems. Agenda 21 is the final document of the 1991 Earth Summit, giving the protection of coral reefs high priority and calling for an integrated, international approach for their protection and use.

• International Year of the Reef (IYOR) 1997 began a major effort of assessment, education and collaboration. Scientists and volunteers from the worldwide diving community are involved in diagnosing the condition of representative reefs throughout the tropical seas. Aquariums, scientists, and conservation organizations are collaborating to produce a variety of courses, video tapes, brochures and other educational materials. Individual coral reef areas are creating or revising management plans for their coastal zones. With the involvement and financial support of governments, foundations and individuals, all these initiatives are being put into place to insure that the world's coral reefs are preserved for the future.

• International Year of the Ocean (YOTO) The Ocean is vital to life on earth. From the life-giving rain that nourishes crops, to life-saving medicines; from the fish that come from the ocean floor, to the goods that are transported on the sea's surface - the ocean plays a role in your life in some way every day. In recognition of the importance of the marine environment, the United Nations has declared 1998 the International Year of the Ocean (YOTO). This designation provides individual organizations and governments with an important opportunity to raise public awareness and understanding of the ocean and related issues. The United States is participating in YOTO activities through the Ocean Principals Group, an informal group of federal agencies with ocean interests.