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USCRTF meet to discuss challenges and develop
foundation for renewed commitment
The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) held a public meeting in Washington D.C. at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History on February 27, 2008 where the USCRTF celebrated the International Year of the Reef 2008, as well as the ten-year anniversary of the formation of the Task Force.
As the USCRTF marks ten years of collaborative research, management, and conservation of coral reef ecosystems, a focus of this meeting was to review the collective efforts and accomplishments, highlight remaining needs and challenges, and begin to develop a foundation for a renewed commitment to action.
Highlights of the meeting included the unveiling of the official International Year of the Reef 2008 painting “Year of the Reef,” by renowned marine artist Wyland who is in the territory to paint a mural on the north side of the Executive Office Building in Utulei.
In addition, USCRTF jurisdictions shared their ten-year accomplishments and remaining needs, as well as challenges for effective coral reef management and conservation.
Three CRTF members who have been with the Task Force from its inception (Karen Koltes, Gerry Davis and Lelei Peau who is the current deputy director of the ASG Department of Commerce) shared their perspectives on where the CRTF has been, and where it is going.
Co-chair of the Task Force, Tim Keeney, reminded the Task Force that the actions taken should be based on science, the need to continue to invest in research, and the importance of a continued focus on coral reef ecosystem resiliency as much of the future will depend on the personal energy of the CRTF, its commitment, and reauthorization of the Coral Reef Conservation Act by Congress, which would give additional authorities to the Task Force and underscore its role as an international leader in coral reef management.
The president of Palau, H.E. Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., gave an inspiring speech and a challenge to action. He pointed to the reality facing coral reefs and said, “time is not running out – it already has, both for reefs and reducing green house gases,” and there is a need to form strong partnerships at every level – local, national, regional and global – to achieve resilient reefs.
Keynote speaker Dr. Nancy Knowlton presented an assessment of coral reefs worldwide, and acknowledged that some colleagues are already writing off corals, thinking that they are beyond the point of saving. And while she does not adhere to this belief herself, she says that coral reefs are turning into algal-dominated ecosystems on a global scale.
She said it does not take too many people to create a threat to coral reefs, as even a few can have substantial effects through fishing and sewage.
Panelists Billy Causey (NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program), Noah Idechong (Republic of Palau House of Delegates) and Marea Hatziolos (World Bank) were invited to share their vision for the future of coral reef management and conservation.
They identified climate change, land-based pollution, habitat degradation, and over fishing as the main threats to reefs. (While the last three can be dealt with directly, climate change requires global work and leadership).
The panelists agree that there is a need to get communities to understand what is happening and raise awareness to build strong support for political action. Even if people don’t live near reefs, they need to have ownership of the issues, understand the human footprint on reefs, and understand that everybody’s actions have an effect.
According to the panelists, several tools and approaches that the Task Force could consider include:
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The principle of subsidiarity – working at the local level to affect change, and engaging stakeholders, as they’re the resource users who can take the most immediate action;
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An ecosystem approach – link upstream and downstream, maximize net benefits to society, and understand people’s concerns;
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Overcapacity in fishing – Simply put: too many boats, too much gear;
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Offering people engaged in resource extraction an exit strategy through alternative livelihoods; and
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Scaling up marine protected areas.
Governor Togiola Tulafono, who represented American Samoa, emphasized the need to continue to build capacity in the jurisdictions and strengthen inter-jurisdictional partnerships. American Samoa is improving energy use by a new commission put in place by Togiola for the Climate Change resolution that was passed. The Samoa Archipelago Initiative has been launched to hold annual meetings to investigate and collaborate on common environmental issues.
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