[Coral-List] FW: National Attention Focused on Florida’s Coral Reefs

Boykin, Christopher Christopher.Boykin at dep.state.fl.us
Fri Aug 26 18:05:47 EDT 2011


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From: Boykin, Christopher
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2011 4:11 PM
Subject: National Attention Focused on Florida’s Coral Reefs


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2011

CONTACT: Christopher Boykin, (305) 795-1222

Pamela King Phillips, (850) 245-2109



“National Attention Focused on Florida’s Coral Reefs”



Fort Lauderdale - For the first time since 2004, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) will meet in Florida, providing an opportunity for local input on reef issues of importance to the region and the nation. The 26th meeting of the USCRTF will be held on October 18‐21, 2011, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in conjunction with the 2nd Reef Resilience Conference. The theme of this USCRTF Meeting is "Integrating Management of the Florida Reef Tract,” and it will specifically address coastal and marine spatial planning, water management and coral reef restoration.



The 2nd Reef Resilience Conference, on October 18-19th, is the official workshop of the USCRTF Meeting. “Planning for Resilience” in the Florida, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico coral reef context is the focus of the conference which will combine presentations on biological and social science research conducted in Florida, statements from fishermen and divers who depend upon coral reefs, and small group discussions that will generate input for the Task Force meeting. The conference and public portions of the USCRTF Meeting are open to all interested parties.



The USCRTF was established in 1998 by Presidential Executive Order to lead U.S. efforts to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. The USCRTF includes leaders of 12 Federal agencies, seven U.S. States, Territories, Commonwealths, and three Freely Associated States. The purpose of the USCRTF is to help build partnerships, strategies, and support for on-the-ground action to conserve coral reefs.



The meeting is being organized by a planning committee of more than four dozen local scientists, managers and conservationists. These partners have come together from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, The Nature Conservancy, the Department of Interior, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Mote Marine Lab, University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute, Reef Relief, Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resources Management, Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department, and Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management.


It is anticipated that the meeting will be attended by local scientists, students, environmentalists, business leaders, and other stakeholders who depend upon coral reefs for their livelihoods. Staff and members of the seven U.S. coral reef jurisdictions which include American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, will be participating as well. For more information on this meeting, visit http://www.coralreef.gov.

Christopher Boykin
Consultant, Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Coral Reef Conservation Program
305.795.1222 / 305.795.3470 fax
1277 NE 79 St. Cswy, Miami, FL 33138

Learn about Florida's Coral & Fisheries Regulations HERE<http://www.southeastfloridareefs.net/links/regulations/>








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