General Program Description

NOAA's coral reef research and management efforts are realized primarily through its Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP).  The program brings together the expertise of the offices working on coral reef issues in NOAA's National Ocean Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and National Environmental Satellite and Information Service.  Through this program, NOAA partners with scientific, private, government, and nongovernmental organizations at the local, state, federal, and international levels to support effective management and sound science to preserve, sustain and restore valuable coral reef ecosystems.

As co-chair of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (Task Force), and as directed by the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (CRCA), NOAA has the responsibility and expertise to conserve coral reef ecosystems.  To achieve the goals of the program, the CRCP conducts and supports: mapping, monitoring, and assessment; natural and socioeconomic research and modeling; outreach and education; and management and stewardship efforts.  NOAA’s work on coral ecosystems is focused on the activity areas listed below.

Explore the links below to learn more about NOAA’s coral reef activities or visit www.coralreef.noaa.gov to view recent news from the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program.

NOAA Coral Reef Activities

Assess and Characterize U.S. Coral Reefs - Mapping and monitoring are key to understanding the locations of coral reef ecosystems, how they function, how human activities impact reef processes, and how managers and the public can reduce or eliminate these impacts.

Reduce Impacts of Coastal Uses - Human use of coastal areas can have negative impacts on nearby coral reef ecosystems.  Efforts to prevent or minimize these impacts are important to coral reef conservation.  In some cases, active restoration is needed to repair damaged areas.

Reduce Adverse Impacts of Fishing - Improved management of coral reef fisheries is an important component of the effort to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems.  Efforts to reduce the adverse impacts of fishing include increased enforcement and outreach as well as research to increase the understanding of fisheries' impacts on coral reef ecosystems.

Reduce Impacts of Pollution & Coral Disease - Pollution from the land and the sea can cause harm to corals by making them more susceptible to diseases and other stressors.  Reducing or eliminating pollutants in reef areas is an important step towards maintaining healthy reefs.

Improve Use and Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas - Protected areas in coral reef ecosystems can provide important shelter from some of the threats that reefs face and can provide researchers with key sites for coral reef ecosystem research and monitoring.  Improving the effective use of these areas is important to coral reef management efforts.

Reduce Threats to International Coral Reefs - Supporting global and international initiatives to understand and protect coral reefs is essential to the protection of coral reefs in U.S. waters and throughout the world.

Reduce Impacts of Climate Change - Coral reefs are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations and when amplified by climate change, these fluctuations can result in coral bleaching.  Efforts to increase local managers' ability to respond to bleaching events are important to minimize their impact and reduce the loss of healthy coral reefs.

Address Deep Coral Communities - Deep coral communities are under threat from human activities such as fishing and mineral exploration.  The primary conservation measures for deep corals in the U.S. consist of managing the impacts of fishing and providing protection for a broader set of impacts by protecting certain areas.

Increase Awareness: Education and Outreach - A strong outreach and education effort is a key element of coral reef protection.  Effective outreach requires reliable access to and efficient sharing of information with all stakeholders. 

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument –The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve was created on December 4, 2000.  On June 15, 2006, President Bush signed a proclamation that created the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument.

Coral Reef Research Institutes and Programs The CRCP supports coral reef research institutes in Hawaii, Florida, and the Caribbean.

Coral Reef Grants Programs Each year, subject to the availability of funds, the CRCP awards a number of grants for coral reef conservation activities.

NOAA and the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force

Learn more about NOAA's participation and work with the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force.

NOAA Line Offices Working on Coral Reefs

Read more about the NOAA Line Offices that work to understand and protect coral reefs.

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