Project Overview/Summary
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Project:
Protecting Corals, Saving Ships
Background
Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth and are inhabited by 25% of all known marine species of fish. Within the Caribbean – Gulf of Mexico Region, the economic and environmental benefits are estimated to be $375 billion a year. Maritime accidents as well as routine ship operations (e.g., discharge and anchoring) can cause significant loss or injury to coral reefs, resulting in habitat damage that adversely impacts the tourism industry, and the communities that depend on coral reef sustainability for their livelihoods. The economic cost of such damage can be millions of dollars per incident. During 1984-1987, the financial consequences to ship owners and/or insurers exceeded $16 Million in U.S. alone.
Scope of Project
The Office of Coast Survey, NOAA is conducting a pilot project in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) to convert existing coral reef mapping data into a format suitable for use with maritime Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). Specifically, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other marine GIS information will be converted into so-called Marine Information Objects (MIOs) conforming to International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) data standards. The project goal is to strengthen marine resource conservation by bringing critical coral, MPA, and other marine environmental protection-related information to the mariner such that informed decisions can be made to avoid environmental degradation. This effort will also contribute to an initiative by both the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and IHO to introduce nautical chart symbology for corals and MPAs that can be implemented in other regions of the world.
This pilot project involves a number of stakeholders (e.g., mariners, hydrographers, conservationists, scientists, and resource managers) who are interested in both safety of navigation and marine environmental conservation. This includes:
Federal/State Government
National Ocean Service, NOAA
US Coast Guard
US Geological Survey
State of Florida
International Organizations
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
The World Conservation Union (WCU)
World Resource Institute (WRI)
UN Environmental Programme (UNEP)
Maritime Industry
International Council of Cruise Lines
Caribbean Shipping Association
American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
American Pilots Association (APA)
Academia
General Public
This initiative aims to bring critical coral habitat and other marine environmental protection information to the mariner, and to enhance the flow of key geospatial information to/from conservation and natural resource managers. Specifically, it will facilitate the integration of coral and other MPA information with Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC). The project will also contribute to an on-going initiative by NOAA to introduce nautical chart symbols for coral and MPAs suitable for international adoption and implementation. This project will also establish linkages with Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded international waters initiatives, such as the Gulf of Honduras and the South East Asia Marine Electronic Highway Projects.
Expected Outcomes
- Improved dialogue and coordination between data producers and users
- Increased awareness by the maritime community of coral reefs and other MPAs
- Incorporation of marine environmental information into vessel navigation systems
- Decreased risks of coral damage due to availability of critical information for making informed decisions, and availability of such information for automated voyage planning
- Development of international standards for the production and use of critical marine environment information onboard vessels
Schedule/Milestones for 2005
- Complete an inventory of critical needs and existing biogeography data sets
- Draft a white paper based on the results of the inventory
- Convene a workshop to bring together relevant stakeholders
- Initiate consultations on:
< data gaps and needs
< identification of priority environmental information for inclusion on electronic charts
- Begin technical development of data formats and required symbology for coral reef MIOs
- Submit preliminary results of pilot project to IHO and IMO
Involvement of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) is specifically requested to help determine:
a) What coral reef areas and/or critical habitats in the FKNMS warrant focus?
b) What type of large vessel operations/activities are a concern?
c) How should critical coral reef habitats be classified and used with nautical charts and ENCs?
d) How should coral reef information be displayed on ECDIS?
e) Who are the relevant stakeholders who should be encouraged to participate in the project?
Points of Contact:
Project Manager: Kathryn Ries, Deputy Director
Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service – NOAA
Ph: 301-713-2770, e-mail: kathryn.ries@noaa.gov
Project Coordinator: Erich Frey
Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service - NOAA
Ph: 301-997-3169, e-mail: erich.frey@noaa.gov
Technical Advisor: Dr. Lee Alexander
Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping – Joint Hydrographic Center
University of New Hampshire
Ph: 603-862-1745, e-mail: lee.alexander@unh.edu
- NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries
- Marine Protected Areas of the United States
- Social Science Methods for Marine Protected Areas
- NOAA's Coral Data and Information (CoRis)
- NOAA's Florida Keys achieve Historic Protection (Designation as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA))
- Florida Keys National Marine Sacntuary Advisory Council
- Global Web Service on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands