About the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force
The United States is one of many nations around the world working to halt the coral reef crisis and protect, restore, and sustainably use coral reef ecosystems. The United States 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. The USCRTF has been instrumental in building partnerships and strategies for on-the-ground action to conserve coral reefs. The USCRTF works in cooperation with State, territorial, commonwealth, and local government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, the scientific community, and commercial interests to further the understanding and conservation of coral reef ecosystems.
The USCRTF is responsible for overseeing implementation of the Executive Order, and developing and implementing coordinated efforts to map and monitor U.S. coral reefs; research the causes of, and solutions to coral reef decline; 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.
Healthy coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and economically valuable ecosystems on earth. The USCRTF recognizes the urgent need for action to address the state of coral reef management and science, and to reduce threats to coral reef ecosystem condition to make reefs more resilient in the face of climate change. Science has demonstrated that reef communities can recover when they are protected and stressors removed. Precious time for coral reef ecosystems can be secured through increased protection from land and marine pollution, unsustainable fishing, development, and other stressors, all of which we know can damage coral condition. It is clear that the USCRTF, with partners, must significantly increase our collective effort to address the factors over which we can exercise control. In light of the new National Ocean Policy (NOP) and the National Ocean Council (NOC) (see Executive Order of July 19, 2010 on Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes and the Final Recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force), the USCRTF will act as a leading intergovernmental body contributing to implementation of the National Ocean Policy as it pertains to coral reef ecosystems in the Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean regions. To enhance our effectiveness within the context of the NOP and continued on the ground action, the USCRTF has identified strategic and targeted priorities for FY11-FY14 and commits to conducting more action-oriented meetings.
USCRTF members meet biannually to discuss key issues, propose new actions, present progress reports, and update the coral community on past accomplishments and future plans. In addition, the USCRTF Steering Committee - made up of representatives from each of the participating Federal agencies, states, and territories - meets monthly to discuss progress on current USCRTF initiatives and plan new areas for collaboration.
Taken from the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force website.
The USCRTF is responsible for overseeing implementation of the Executive Order, and developing and implementing coordinated efforts to map and monitor U.S. coral reefs; research the causes of, and solutions to coral reef decline; 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.
Healthy coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and economically valuable ecosystems on earth. The USCRTF recognizes the urgent need for action to address the state of coral reef management and science, and to reduce threats to coral reef ecosystem condition to make reefs more resilient in the face of climate change. Science has demonstrated that reef communities can recover when they are protected and stressors removed. Precious time for coral reef ecosystems can be secured through increased protection from land and marine pollution, unsustainable fishing, development, and other stressors, all of which we know can damage coral condition. It is clear that the USCRTF, with partners, must significantly increase our collective effort to address the factors over which we can exercise control. In light of the new National Ocean Policy (NOP) and the National Ocean Council (NOC) (see Executive Order of July 19, 2010 on Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes and the Final Recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force), the USCRTF will act as a leading intergovernmental body contributing to implementation of the National Ocean Policy as it pertains to coral reef ecosystems in the Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean regions. To enhance our effectiveness within the context of the NOP and continued on the ground action, the USCRTF has identified strategic and targeted priorities for FY11-FY14 and commits to conducting more action-oriented meetings.
USCRTF members meet biannually to discuss key issues, propose new actions, present progress reports, and update the coral community on past accomplishments and future plans. In addition, the USCRTF Steering Committee - made up of representatives from each of the participating Federal agencies, states, and territories - meets monthly to discuss progress on current USCRTF initiatives and plan new areas for collaboration.
Taken from the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force website.
