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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.
NOAAs coral reef conservation efforts are carried out primarily through its Coral Reef Conservation Program. The program brings together the expertise of NOAAs 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 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. OCRMs Marine Protected Areas Center is spearheading this effort. OCRM also coordinates NOAAs 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. (top)
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