Authorizing Mandate | Coral Reef Activities

A diver approaches a red soft coral patch. Divers can determine firsthand the extent of physical damage suffered by coral habitats.

Coral reefs are some of the most biologically rich and economically valuable ecosystems on Earth. They provide food, jobs, income, protection and other important services to billions of people worldwide. Yet they are threatened by an increasing array of impacts from overexploitation, pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, diseases, bleaching and global climate change. The rapid decline and loss of these valuable, ancient, and complex marine ecosystems have significant social, economic, and environmental consequences in the United States and around the world. As a principal steward of the nation's marine resources, NOAA helps coastal communities, managers, scientists and other partners to understand and sustainably manage coral reef ecosystems.


Authorizing Mandate

In 2000, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (Task Force) developed the National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs to serve as the nation’s blueprint for reversing the worldwide decline of coral reef ecosystems. As co-chair of the Task Force, and as directed by the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, NOAA has the responsibility to conserve coral reef ecosystems.

A sea bass (family Serranidae) rests under a leather coral. Healthy coral reefs support highly diverse biological populations.

Coral Reef Activities

NOAA’s coral reef conservation efforts are carried out primarily through its Coral Reef Conservation Program. The program brings together the expertise of NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS), NOAA Fisheries, NOAA Research, and NOAA Satellites and Information. Under this program, NOAA works with scientific, private, government, and nongovernmental organizations at the local, federal, and international levels to address conservation actions laid out in the National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs (pdf, 216 kb).

The NOS and its partners carry out numerous activities related to coral reefs. NOS’s Office of Response and Restoration (ORR) coordinates collaborative planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting for NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program. ORR is creating spill response guides and environmental sensitivity index maps for coral ecosystems.

The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) are working to map and monitor coral reefs within U.S. waters. NCCOS conducts research into coral reef diseases and other health issues and supports research to develop improved monitoring tools.

A clown anemone fish rests within green anemone polyps. The anemone, though poisonous to some species, can provide shelter to fish and other marine organisms.

The NOS Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management (OCRM) is evaluating the effectiveness of designated marine protected areas containing coral reefs. It is also studying best management practices for coral reefs. OCRM’s Marine Protected Areas Center is spearheading this effort. OCRM also coordinates NOAA’s efforts with state and territorial partners to enhance coral reef conservation.

As part of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program, NOS coordinates and supports grants for on-the-ground coral reef conservation activities. This grant program supports research, management, and monitoring of coral reef ecosystems both domestically and internationally. NOS also supports the Coral Reef Conservation Fund, a partnership between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and NOAA that supports public-private partnerships to conserve coral reefs.

In addition, the National Marine Sanctuary Program conducts research and monitoring efforts within its Fagatele Bay, Florida Keys, Flower Garden Banks, and Gray’s Reef sanctuaries and in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve. NOS’s Office of Coast Survey is creating a nautical chart for recreational boaters in the Florida Keys, which will help boaters avoid coral reef groundings. Finally, the NOS International Program Office participates in partnerships such as the International Coral Reef Initiative, which supports international coral reef research and management efforts.

More information on NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program and other NOAA coral reef activities can be found on NOAA’s Coral Reef Information System. Visit Coral Reef Online for current news and highlights of NOAA’s coral reef activities.