Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Performance 2023 - LEADERBOARD

Collaborating on coral restoration in the Pacific Islands

by NOAA Fisheries 7 Aug 2020 16:18 UTC
A school of lined butterflyfish swim above a shallow coral reef at Kona, Hawaii © Christine Shepard

Last year, NOAA and The Nature Conservancy embarked on a multi-year partnership to support the collaborative development of targeted coral restoration plans for the four Pacific Island jurisdictions of Hawai'i, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI).

NOAA recently awarded a second year of funding to The Nature Conservancy to continue this important work.

Coral reefs are extremely valuable habitats, contributing more than $3 billion a year domestically to the economy. Hundreds of millions of people depend on coral reefs for food, cultural practices, flood protection, and more. In Hawai'i alone, corals are estimated to provide more than $836 million per year in flood protection benefits.

Despite their importance, corals are gravely threatened around the world due to warming water temperatures, ocean acidification, pollution, invasive species, and impacts from ship groundings and storms. For example, prolonged high ocean temperatures in recent years have caused mass coral bleaching events in the Pacific Islands and beyond.

NOAA has been a leader in coral reef restoration efforts for decades. Efforts in the Pacific Islands have mainly focused on reducing stressors such as invasive species and polluted runoff from nearby land, which can smother coral reefs. In-water coral reef restoration—such as planting nursery-raised corals and seeding new reefs—is still developing in the region. Restoration plans are needed to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of in-water coral restoration projects.

To address this need, NOAA entered into a cooperative agreement with The Nature Conservancy in 2019 to support the development of coral restoration plans for Hawai'i, Guam, American Samoa, and CNMI. To date, NOAA has provided close to $950,000 in funding to support this effort, including about $290,000 in the first year and almost $660,000 in the second year. An additional $170,000 in funding over both years will support The Nature Conservancy's efforts in the West Hawai'i Habitat Focus Area.

So far, in the first year of the project, NOAA and The Nature Conservancy have designed, hosted, and facilitated online sessions during which each of the four jurisdictions began building their coral restoration plans. In the second year, the partnership will provide targeted follow-up support to help coral reef managers refine their plans, make progress on restoration activities, and address challenges that may arise.

Through this partnership, NOAA and partners are helping to build the capacity needed to guide collaborative, science-based coral restoration across the U.S. Pacific Islands.

Related Articles

Gray Whale population abundance
Eastern North Pacific Gray Whale population increases after observed decline To understand how the eastern North Paci?c gray whale population is responding to changes in the environment following its recovery from low numbers due to commercial whaling, we study changes in abundance over time. Posted on 5 Apr
New research reveals diversity of Killer Whales
Long viewed as one worldwide species, killer whale diversity now merits more Scientists have resolved one of the outstanding questions about one of the world's most recognizable creatures, identifying two well-known killer whales in the North Pacific Ocean as separate species. Posted on 31 Mar
Where the Leatherbacks Roam
Leatherbacks commonly swim from the South and Mid-Atlantic Bights during the warmer months Scientists find evidence of critical feeding grounds for endangered leatherback turtles along the U.S. Atlantic coast by studying movement behavior with satellite tags. Posted on 30 Mar
Meet Makana
One of the first Hawaiian Monk Seal Pups of 2024 Hawai'i Marine Animal Response partnered with Kahuku Elementary School to name the first Hawaiian monk seal pup of O'ahu in 2024. Posted on 23 Mar
Marine heatwaves reshape ecosystem
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense in our oceans A new study highlights marine heatwaves' complex and cascading effects on marine ecosystems. While some species may benefit from these changes, others are likely to struggle. Posted on 20 Mar
California Current ecosystem shows resilience
It is facing a strong 2024 El Niño event The 2023-2024 California Current Ecosystem Status Report shows an abundance of forage fish and a productive system fueled by upwelling. Posted on 19 Mar
Some research takes a lifetime
Researchers keep track of Northern Elephant Seals using flipper tags Long-term research under Marine Mammal Protection Act scientific research permits provides insight into northern elephant seal moms and pups. Posted on 17 Mar
Making strides in marine mammal research
NOAA Fisheries and partners celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. Under this law, NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the conservation and recovery of more than 160 endangered and threatened marine species—including many marine mammals. Posted on 12 Feb
NOAA Fisheries and BOEM release joint strategy
Part of a larger interagency effort to promote recovery of endangered species Today, NOAA Fisheries and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released a final joint strategy to protect and promote the recovery of endangered North Atlantic right whales while responsibly developing offshore wind energy. Posted on 26 Jan
Documenting the Elusive North Pacific Right Whale
Dive in with the NOAA Fisheries Podcast North Atlantic right whales have justly gotten a lot of attention and news coverage due to their dwindling numbers and sightings along the busy East Coast. Posted on 13 Jan
North Sails Performance 2023 - FOOTERPantaenius 2022 - SAIL & POWER 1 FOOTER ROWNoble Marine 2022 SW - FOOTER