NEWS:proposed critical habitat designations for threatened elkhorn and staghorn coral

[sharkdude]

good fact sheet here
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/docs/0...act sheet.pdf

NOAA Fisheries Service proudly announces the publication of the proposed critical habitat designations for threatened elkhorn and staghorn corals in today's /Federal Register/. We identified approximately 4,931 square miles of marine habitat in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as critical habitat for threatened corals. Details about the designation are provided in the /Federal Register/ notice for the proposed rule, which can be found on our website at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/esa/acropora.htm On our website, you will also find Frequently Asked Questions, a press release, and supporting documents for the proposed designation. If you would like hard copies of any of these documents mailed to you, please contact me (see contact information below).

The comment period for this action closes on _May 6, 2008_, and public comment hearings will be held in the following locations:

1. Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 7 PM to 9 PM, IGFA Events Hall, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, Florida.

2. Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 7 PM to 9 PM, Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida.

3. Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 6 PM to 8 PM, Administration and Conference Center (ACC), 1st Floor Conference Room, University of the Virgin Islands, #2 John Brewer's Bay,
St. Thomas, USVI.
/Simulcast Location on St. Croix:/ The Great Hall, Room #134, University of the Virgin Islands, RR 1, Box 10000 Kingshill, St. Croix, USVI.

4. Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 7 PM to 9 PM, 4th Floor Conference Room, Environmental Building, Cruz Matos, State Road #838, km. 6.3, Sector El Cinco, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Sarah E. Heberling
Natural Resource Specialist
***
Protected Resources Division
NOAA Fisheries Service
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
***
Phone: (727) 824-5312
Fax: (727) 824-5309
Email: Sarah.Heberling@noaa.gov
Web: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/esa/acropora.htm

 

[chrissreef]

first link not working =(

This coral really needs protection!!

 

[sharkdude]

here it is again:
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/docs/040312 Acropora fact sheet.pdf

something screwy about RC and variable links

or if it doesn't work again, its about 3/4 of way down on this page
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/esa/acropora.htm

 

[greenbean36191]

These corals already has significant protection just about everywhere they grow. The designation of critical habitat is really just to meet the requirements of the ESA and doesn't mean much for the actual conservation of the species. For species where habitat loss is a major issue, critical habitat designations can be pretty important. In this case the major issues are disease and degradation of the reefs due to diffuse sources, things that can't really be stopped by setting aside habitat.