Southeast Florida Coral ReefsOctober 12, 2015

Meghan BallingFDEP Coral Reef

Conservation Program

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Tonight you will learn about…

Photos: Joe Marino

• Our local reefs• Importance of coral reefs• Threats to coral reefs• Response to threats

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Southeast Florida Coral Reefs

What are coral reefs?

Coral Biology 101:

• Corals are colonies of delicate polyps

• They contain symbiotic algae within their tissues

• They secrete a limestone skeleton

• This skeleton creates large structures close to the sea surface, which we call reefs

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Southeast Florida Coral Reefs

Florida Reef Tract Facts:1) Only barrier

reef in the continental US

2) Stretches from Dry Tortugas up to St. Lucie Inlet

3) One of the largest barrier reefs in the world (about 350 miles)

We focus on this areas

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Southeast Florida Coral Reefs

The northern third of the Florida reef tract…

Contains reef systems that:

• Are extensive

• Are close to shore

• Co-exist with intensely urbanized areas

• LACK COORDINATED MANAGEMENT

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Coral Reefs are Important:Habitat

43+ 37600+70

517

Photos: Joe Marino & Dave Gilliam, Ph.D.

Species of hard corals

Species of soft corals

Species of fish

Species of invertebratesSpecies of sponges

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Coral Reefs are Important:Income

$8.5 Billion in sales and income

70,400 jobs

Examples:• Commercial and charter fishing• Dive shops and charters• Seafood restaurants

Just in southeast Florida!

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Coral Reefs are Important:Coastal Protection

The Nature Conservancy

1 meter of reef protects $47,000 worth of property value

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Coral Reefs are Important:Coastal Protection

Photo: Ken Banks, Ph.D.

Waves break twice on inner reef and nearshore ridge, dissipating much of their destructive energy

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Coral Reefs are Important:Food & Medicine

Photos: Florida Sportsman/NOAA

Recreational and Commercial Fisheries

Saltwater Tourism

Coral Reefs provide a primary food source for over one billion people worldwide.

50% of all current cancer medications are derived from marine organisms

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Coral Reefs are Threatened

Population = Stress

Boynton Inlet Palm Beach County

Haulover OutfallMiami-Dade county

Lobster Mini-SeasonFt. Lauderdale

Ship GroundingFt. Lauderdale

Invasive SpeciesLionfish

Marine DebrisLauderdale-by-the-Sea

Air & Sea ShowFt. Lauderdale

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Coral Reefs are Declining

Photos: Phil Dustan & Billy Causey

Coral reefs are threatened globally and locally

Carysfort Reef 2009

• Coral cover on many Caribbean reefs has declined up to 80% over the past three decades.

Coral can come back when good practices are put in place.

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What Does SE FL Think?• 2006 & 2013 Surveys Show:• Coral reefs, water quality, fisheries declined

• Fewer desirable areas on the reef increased user conflict

• If nothing changes, conditions will continue to deteriorate

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Local Response

2003: DEP and FWC coordinated the formation of SEFCRI

Partnership of:• Agencies• NGOs• Academia• Divers• Fishers• Private Business• Local stakeholders

Identified 4 priority threats to the coral reef resources of Southeast Florida:

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Planning for the Future

Goal: Comprehensive Management Strategy for Southeast FL coral reefs

2003: SEFCRI LAS

Lacked necessary information and stakeholder input

Today

• 128 of 140 original SEFCRI projects completed or ongoing• Large body of knowledge on SE FL coral reefs• Better informed public

Planning for the Future

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June 2013: COMPLETE

March 2015-Fall 2015: IN PROGRESS

January 2016: Martin County and Palm Beach County

February 2016: Broward County andMiami-Dade County

2016

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How you can help

www.OurFloridaReefs.org

Attend a meeting Become a Reef ChampionParticipate in Our Florida Reefs!

Speak with your stakeholder group

representative Join Friends OfOur Florida Reefs

Submit comments online

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How you can help

When Diving…

DO NOT TOUCH CORAL• Don’t let your gear dangle• Maintain proper buoyancy• Watch your fins

Photos: Karen Lane & Enrique Jaramillo

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How you can help

When Boating…

DO NOT ANCHOR ON CORAL• Tie up to mooring buoys• Anchor on sand using the ESRI app

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How you can help 1-866-770-SEFL (7335)

www.SEAFAN.net

We’re All Connected ~ Keep It Protected

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Support Our Florida Reefs