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Frequently Asked Questions
Coral
Reefs and Governments
What is the U.S. Government doing about Coral Reefs? The United States, primarily through the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, is making efforts to "map and monitor U.S. coral reefs, research the causes and solutions to coral reef degradation, reduce and mitigate coral reef degradation from pollution, over fishing and other causes, and implement strategies to promote conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs internationally." -"United
States Coral Reef Task Force: Coral Reef Conservation for the 21st
Century." [top] What are non-U.S. Governments doing about Coral Reefs? It is estimated that there are at least 400 Marine Protected Areas in over 65 countries that include coral reefs. Sadly, more than 150 of these Marine Protected Areas are less than one square kilometer in size. This leaves at least 40 countries with no cooperative protection of reef areas. Areas where reefs are not protected include: "the Indian Ocean Region, the west coast of the Americas, Solomon Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, and the Philippines." Many of the existing Marine Sanctuaries are lacking in resources. In these areas, legislation is not enforced and management plans are poorly developed. In short, it is estimated "that less than 3 percent of the world’s coral reefs are protected." -Bryant, D., Burke, L., McManus, J., and M. Spalding. 1998. "Reefs at Risk: A Map Based Indicator of Threats to the World’s Coral Reefs." World Resources Institute. Washington D.C. [top] What have U.S. Presidents done about Coral Reefs? Former President, William Jefferson Clinton established the United States Coral Reef Task Force in June of 1998. -"United
States Coral Reef Task Force: Coral Reef Conservation for the 21st
Century." [top] Where are marine sanctuaries that protect coral reef areas? There are at least 400 Marine Protected Areas that span the globe. For a visual representation of where these Marine Protected Area’s are located, see map 6 in the reference listed below. The largest Marine Protected areas are the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Ras Mohammed Park Complex in Egypt. -Bryant, D., Burke, L., McManus, J., and M. Spalding. 1998. "Reefs at Risk: A Map Based Indicator of Threats to the World’s Coral Reefs." World Resources Institute. Washington D.C. [top] What is the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and where can I find out more about it? "The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF) was established by President Clinton in June 1998 though Executive Order #13089 on Coral Reef Protection to lead the U.S. response to this growing, global environmental crisis. Chaired by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce, the CRTF is composed of the heads of 11 federal agencies and the Governors of 7 states, territories or commonwealths with responsibilities for coral reefs. The CRTF is responsible for overseeing implementation of the Executive Order, and developing and implementing coordinated efforts to: -map
and monitor U.S. coral reefs; To find out more about the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force see the web page listed below. -"United
States Coral Reef Task Force: Coral Reef Conservation for the 21st
Century." [top] What is the International Coral Reef Initiative? "ICRI is a unique environmental partnership that brings all the stakeholders together with the objective of sustainable use and conservation of coral reefs for future generations. ICRI is an informal mechanism that allows representatives of over 80 developing countries with coral reefs to sit in equal partnership with major donor countries and development banks, international environmental and development agencies, scientific associations, the private sector and NGOs to decide on the best strategies to conserve the world's coral reef resources. ICRI is not a permanent structure or organization, but an informal network that aims to catalyze the best strategies to conserve coral reefs and related coastal resources in the tropics. ICRI does not develop and fund proposals, but ensures that the needs of the developing world concerning their coral reefs are conveyed to operational and funding organizations. Thus ICRI is unique and its strength lies in the fact that it is a voluntary body with basic operational objectives. There are no plans to form a permanent structure with permanent staff, and funds spent on meetings are kept to a minimum. The agenda for ICRI has been set by over 80 countries and states with coral reefs expressed at 2 ICRI International Workshops (1995 and 1998) and 7 ICRI Regional Workshops between 1995 and 1997. ICRI voluntary partnership of developing countries, donor counties, development banks, international environmental and development agencies, scientific associations, the private sector and NGOs are linked by a global Secretariat, run and funded by the government of one country, but often with assistance of others. The Global Secretariat is deliberately kept small and temporary, with no permanent staff. To date, coordination staff has performed the ICRI tasks in addition to their other responsibilities in government. The ICRI Secretariat is advised by the Coordination and Planning Committee (ICRI CPC), which meets once or twice per year, often opportunistically to coincide with other international meetings. In turn, CPC members are requested to facilitate the objectives and projects of ICRI." -Ministère
de l'Aménagement du Territoire et de l'Environnement and the
French Coral Reef Initiative. "International Coral Reef
Initiative." [top] How can I let my congressman or senator know I am concerned? To contact the senator of your state simply visit www.senate.gov. On this site you can search for your senator’s contact information either alphabetically or by state. To contact your congressman visit www.house.gov. By clicking on the link "house directory", followed by clicking the link "house member information" you will be lead to a page where you can search for your congressmen alphabetically or by state. It is recommended that written letters are faxed or mailed to legislators as politicians receive a flood of email every day, most of which they do not read. [top]
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