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Key Documents

These are a few key documents that relay coral program and policy information, descriptions of the state of corals, and strategies for preserving coral ecosystems.  They are listed here for easy access.

Each entry includes title, a link to the document, and a brief description of the publication.

Legislative Mandates
U.S. Ocean Action Plan
Reports to Congress
CRCP Strategic Guidance
CRCP Reports on the Status of Coral Ecosystems
CRCP Technical Memorandum Series
CRCP Accomplishment Reports

Legislative Mandates
Title: Presidential Executive Order #13089 (pdf, 61 KB)
Abstract: The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) was established in 1998 by Presidential Executive Order #13089 to lead U.S. efforts to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. Co-chaired by the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior, the USCRTF includes leaders of 12 federal agencies, seven U.S. states and territories, and three freely associated states.
 
Title: The National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs (pdf, 211 KB)
Abstract: In March of 2000, the USCRTF adopted The National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs (NAP), the first U.S. plan to comprehensively address the most pressing threats to coral reefs.
 
Title: Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (pdf, 36 KB)
Abstract: In December of 2000, the Coral Reef Conservation Act (CRCA) formally established NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program and laid out a number of mandates for NOAA aimed at the preservation, sustainability and restoration of U.S. coral reef ecosystems.
 
Title: Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act of 2006 (pdf, 538 KB)
Abstract: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act is the primary law governing marine fisheries management in U.S. federal waters. The Act was first enacted in 1976 and amended in 1996 and 2006. Section 408 of the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act of 2006 establishes the Deep-sea Coral Research and Technology Program.
 
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U.S. Ocean Action Plan
Title: U.S. Ocean Action Plan (pdf, 236 KB)
Abstract: On September 20, 2004, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy completed a thorough and expansive report, An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century. On December 17, 2004, President Bush submitted to Congress his formal response, the U.S. Ocean Action Plan. Pages 20-21 of the report focus specifically on the promotion of coral reef and deep sea coral conservation and education.
 
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Reports to Congress
Title: A National Coral Reef Action Strategy: Report to Congress 2002-2003
Abstract: In September 2002, NOAA, in cooperation with the USCRTF, released the National Action Strategy (NAS), a nation-wide status report to Congress on implementation of the NAP and the CRCA.
 
Title: Implementation of the National Coral Reef Action Strategy: Report to Congress on U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Agency Activities From 2002 to 2003
Abstract: In September 2005, NOAA, in cooperation with the USCRTF, released this document, which provides a nation-wide status report on implementation of the NAP and the CRCA. It is the first in a series of biennial progress reports required by the CRCA.
 
Title: Implementation of the National Coral Reef Action Strategy: Report to Congress on U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Agency Activities From 2004 to 2006
Abstract: In June 2008, NOAA, in cooperation with the USCRTF, released the second of the biennial progress reports required by the CRCA.
 
Title: Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program
Abstract: In March 2008, NOAA released the first report to Congress on the Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program, called for in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006. Prepared under the auspices of NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program and in consultation with the Nation's eight Regional Fishery Management Councils, the report provides information on steps taken by NOAA and its partners to identify, monitor, and protect deep sea coral areas.
 
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CRCP Strategic Guidance
Title: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Goals & Objectives 2010-2015 (pdf, 3 MB)
Abstract: The CRCP is narrowing the focus of its U.S. domestic program and shifting allocation of CRCP resources to taking on-the-ground and in-the-water action.  The CRCP will emphasize efforts on understanding and addressing the top three recognized global threats to coral reef ecosystems: climate change impacts, fishing impacts, and impacts from land-based sources of pollution. This document, launched in June of 2009, provides strategic guidance on the CRCP domestic priorities for FY 2010-2015.
 
Title: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program International Strategy 2010-2015 (pdf, 2 MB)
Abstract: The CRCP is expanding its international presence by becoming more actively involved in coral conservation efforts abroad, primarily in the Pacific, the Coral Triangle region, and the Caribbean. This document, launched in June of 2009, provides strategic guidance on the CRCP international priorities for FY 2010-2015.
 
Title: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Roadmap for the Future: A Plan for Developing CRCP Priorities Through FY15 (pdf, 247 KB)
Abstract: In response to recommendations from an independent external review of the CRCP, CRCP developed this Roadmap in July of 2008, laying out new principles and priorities for the future of the CRCP. This document is the predecessor to the Goals & Objectives and International Strategy listed above.
 
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CRCP Reports on the Status of Coral Ecosystems
Title: The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2002 (pdf, 7 MB)
Abstract: Called for by the NAP, this is the first biennial report on the condition of U.S. coral reefs. It is the scientific baseline for subsequent reports on the health of U.S. coral reef ecosystems that are to be used by NOAA and others to evaluate the efficacy of coral reef conservation and management practices.
 
Title: The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2005
Abstract: This is the second in the series of reports characterizing the condition of shallow water coral reef ecosystems in the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States. The first report provided a broad introduction to and a preliminary look at the status of coral reef ecosystems and was based primarily on qualitative information from the contributing authors. The 2005 report differs from its predecessor in that it is based primarily on the most recent quantitative monitoring data available, rather than qualitative assessments of ecosystem conditions.
 
Title: The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2008
Abstract: This is the third in the series of reports characterizing the condition of shallow water coral reef ecosystems in the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States. Like the 2005 report, this edition is based primarily on the most recent quantitative monitoring data available, rather than qualitative assessments of ecosystem conditions.
 
Title: The State of Deep Coral Ecosystems of the United States: 2007
Abstract: Called for in the President's Ocean Action Plan, this peer-reviewed report contains an up-to-date assessment of deep coral ecosystems in U.S. waters. including: the biology of deep corals and their associated species, their spatial distribution, the stressors that may threaten their survival, current management measures, and regional priorities for future research.
 
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CRCP Technical Memorandum Series

The following documents are part of NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program Technical Memorandum (Tech Memo) Series. They are scientific gray literature.
Title: NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Research Plan for Fiscal Years 2007 to 2011
Abstract: The NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Research Plan is NOAA's first agency-wide coral reef ecosystem research plan.  Covering all coral reef ecosystems under the jurisdiction of the U.S. and Pacific Freely Associated States, the plan provides a national perspective on the research needed to address the range of stresses affecting the health of coral reef ecosystems, summarizes the management and other issues that will drive research at the regional level, and focuses on the use of research to guide effective implementation of ecosystem-based management strategies. (NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 1)
 
Title: Report on the Status of Marine Protected Areas in Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States: Volume 1 (pdf, 5 MB)
Abstract: This report is the first-ever inventory and assessment of U.S. marine protected areas (MPAs) managed by State and Territory governments, as called for by the National Action Plan of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. The report utilizes data collected in the National Marine Managed Inventory as well as the expertise of NOAA and state and territory co-authors to explore the management status of 207 MPAs located across the seven U.S. jurisdictions containing coral reefs. (NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 2)
 
Title: The State of Deep Coral Ecosystems of the United States: 2007
Abstract: Called for in the President's Ocean Action Plan, this peer-reviewed report contains an up-to-date assessment of deep coral ecosystems in U.S. waters. including: the biology of deep corals and their associated species, their spatial distribution, the stressors that may threaten their survival, current management measures, and regional priorities for future research. (NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 3)
 
Title: Coral Disease and Health Workshop: Coral Histopathology II
Abstract: This workshop report contains a description of a study set of histology slides used in reaching consensus histopathological descriptions for selected coral lesions representing 15 types of field diagnosis, 9 presumed disease conditions, and 8 scleractinian and 1 gorgonian species.  Supportive information was developed during the group discussions and is provided in the report. (NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 4)
 
Title: Report on the Status of Local Action Strategies to Conserve and Protect Coral Reefs For Years 2002-2006 (pdf, 6 MB)
Abstract: This report provides an overview of the progress that states, territories, federal agencies, and nongovernmental partners made from 2002-2006 in developing and implementing Local Action Strategies (LAS) to reduce threats to the Nation's coral reef ecosystems. (NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 5)
 
Title: Field Manual for Investigating Coral Disease Outbreaks
Abstract: This publication is intended to serve as an operational guide to coordinate effective, informative responses by outbreak response teams to unusual incidents of coral disease or mortality. It was developed as an aid to provide context and consistency for outbreak investigations and to help train coral disease outbreak response teams so that coordinated response operations can be executed. (NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 6)
 
Title: Coral Health and Disease in the Pacific: Vision for Action
Abstract: Recognizing the need for a strategic plan of action to combat a health crisis for Pacific Reefs, the Coral Disease and Health Consortium (CDHC) convened a workshop to help organize and coordinate a scientific effort focused specifically on coral health issues in the Pacific. This report documents the proceedings of the workshop. (NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 7)
 
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CRCP Accomplishment Reports
Title: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Summary of 2003 Accomplishments (pdf, 400 KB)
Abstract: Text Only Version (pdf, 132 KB)
This 9-page document summarizes the Fiscal Year 2003 activities of the CRCP.
 
Title: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Summary of 2004 Accomplishments (pdf, 2 MB)
Abstract: This 11-page document summarizes the Fiscal Year 2004 activities of the CRCP.
 
Title: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Summary of 2005 Accomplishments (pdf, 125 KB)
Abstract: This 3-page document summarizes the Fiscal Year 2005 activities of the CRCP.
 
Title: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Summary of 2006 Accomplishments (pdf, 100 KB)
Abstract: This 2-page document summarizes the Fiscal Year 2006 activities of the CRCP.
 
Title: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Summary of 2007 Accomplishments (pdf, 100 KB)
Abstract: This 2-page document summarizes the Fiscal Year 2007 activities of the CRCP.
 
Title: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Summary of 2008 Accomplishments (pdf, 120 KB)
Abstract: This 2-page document summarizes the Fiscal Year 2008 activities of the CRCP.
 

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