[Coral-List] Report to Congress on Deep Sea Corals

[Tom Hourigan]

Dear Coral List:

On March 13, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
released the first report to Congress on the /Implementation of the Deep 
Sea Coral Research and Technology Program/, called for in the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act 
of 2006 (MSRA). Prepared under the auspices of NOAA's Coral Reef 
Conservation Program and in consultation with the Nation's eight 
Regional Fishery Management Councils, the report provides information on 
steps taken by NOAA and its partners to identify, monitor, and protect 
deep sea coral areas. Sections provide a brief discussion of current 
knowledge and knowledge gaps about deep sea corals (also known as deep 
water or cold-water corals), NOAA's expertise and authorities to 
conserve deep sea coral communities, and summaries of management actions 
taken by NOAA, the Fishery Management Councils, other federal agencies, 
and international organizations in 2007. The final section highlights 
research priorities for 2009 and recommendations for addressing 
knowledge gaps. The report includes an initial list of areas known to 
contain deep sea corals with limited protection from interactions with 
fishing gear. NOAA recommends that the Regional Fishery Management 
Councils evaluate areas for protection as allowed under discretionary 
provisions of the MSRA.

Copies of the report can be downloaded at the NOAA Fisheries website: 
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/rtc.pdf 
<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/rtc.pdf>. 

If you have questions about the report or NOAA's deep-sea coral 
activities, please contact me.

Tom Hourigan