NOAA Fisheries Designates Critical Habitat for Five Corals in U.S. Waters in the Pacific Islands
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Designating critical habitat for threatened Pacific Islands corals will help us protect them for generations to come.
If you had to describe corals in one word, what would it be? Maybe “colorful,” “amazing,” or “vibrant” come to mind?
One word that definitely suits them is “powerhouse.” Corals do a lot for the ocean—and for us. They provide coastal protection for communities, habitat for fish, millions of dollars in recreation and tourism, and the list goes on.
But sometimes even powerhouses struggle.
There are five reef-building coral species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in U.S. waters in the Pacific Islands:
- Acropora globiceps
- A. retusa
- A. speciosa
- Fimbriahyllia paradivisa (formerly known as Euphyllia paradivisa)
- Isopora crateriformis
NOAA Fisheries is designating critical habitat for these natural treasures, to conserve them for generations to come.
The final critical habitat designations cover approximately 92 square miles in 18 areas across the U.S. Pacific Islands. These areas contain the right conditions for corals to reproduce, spread, settle, and mature—conditions that are essential for their survival and long-term recovery.
The coral critical habitat designations do not create marine reserves or closed areas. And they do not include harbors, navigation channels, other managed areas (like boat ramps), or artificial substrates (like seawalls).
“We encourage fishermen, divers, swimmers, and other area users to continue to enjoy these areas responsibly,” said Dawn Golden, Assistant Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office. “And we look forward to collaborating with federal agencies on their relevant actions.”
Read more at fisheries.noaa.gov.
