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Coral Reef Conservation Bill Approved By Senate Commerce Committee

Posted on: Thursday, 17 January 2008, 06:00 CST

Looking to stem the threats to the United States coral reefs, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved S. 1580, the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007, earlier this fall, which reauthorizes and strengthens the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 and improves research and management of the nation's corals, said the committee.

"The preservation of our coral reef ecosystems is vital to national interests, including the sustainability of our fisheries, tourism and coastal communities," said commerce committee chairman, Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), the lead sponsor of the measure. "Coral reef-related services and resources are worth billions of dollars each year to the U.S. economy and economies worldwide in the form of food, jobs, pharmaceuticals and shoreline protection."

"Effective management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems is especially critical for the state of Hawaii, which is host to more than 410,000 acres of living reef around the main islands alone," Inouye continued.

The Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act was cosponsored by commerce committee vice chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and oceans, atmosphere, fisheries and Coast Guard subcommittee chair Maria Cantwell (DWash.) and supported by the Bush administration.

It would would allow the committee to address the threat of marine debris to coral reef ecosystems by removing abandoned fishing gear, other discarded objects and abandoned vessels from coral reef ecosystems; authorize the development of a vessel-grounding inventory and identify measures to reduce threats to coral reefs, including the acquisition and placement of aids to navigation, moorings and fixed anchors; and prohibit damage to coral reefs while providing specific exemptions for activities such as bona fide research, the use of fishing gear permitted under federal or state laws and other activities authorized by law.

Similar authority already exists for coral reefs and other natural resources within National Marine Sanctuaries, but no authority exists for coral reefs outside such boundaries.

The act would also extend and strengthen liability and civil and criminal penalties for damage to coral reefs resulting from prohibited activities; provide a mechanism to recoup response costs and damages from responsible parties and apply such funds to restoration of coral reefs; establish a permitting program for specific activities in coral reef areas, including research and conservation projects; improve coordination among states and territories to address threats to coral reefs; and establish an international coral reef conservation program to address threats to corals in waters of importance to the United States outside U.S. jurisdiction.

The Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act would authorize $5 million for fiscal year 2008. It would also provide $10 million for each fiscal year from 2009 through 2012 for this program.

Source: Sea Technology

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