FYI: comments sought on petition to list staghorn corals under ESA

[sharkdude]

National – Public Comments Sought on Petition to List
Elkhorn Coral, Staghorn Coral and Fused-Staghorn Coral
under the Endangered Species Act

On June 23, NOAA Fisheries announced the receipt of a petition from the Center
for Biological Diversity to list elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), staghorn coral (A.
cervicornis), and fused-staghorn coral (A. prolifera) as endangered or threatened,
and to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. These species
are found in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and tropical portions of the Atlantic
Ocean. All three acroporids are fast growing branching corals, found predominantly
in shallow reefs from subtidal to 30 m depth.

NOAA Fisheries will conduct a status review to determine if the petitioned action is
warranted. To ensure that the review is comprehensive, NOAA Fisheries is seeking
the following information:

(1) Historical and current distribution and abundance;

(2) historic and current condition;

(3) population status and trends;

(4) information on any current or planned activities that may adversely
impact these species; and

(5) ongoing efforts to protect their habitat. Any information should be
accompanied by supporting documentation such as maps, bibliographic
references, or reprints of pertinent publications, and the submitter's
name, address, and any association, institution, or business that the
person represents.

Members of the public are also asked to suggest individuals who may be qualified
to take part in the peer review process. Information related to this petition must
be received no later than August 23, 2004. You may submit comments via E-mail
to: Acropora.Info@noaa.gov. Include "Docket No. 040610181-4181-01" in the
subject line of the message. You may also send information on paper, disk, or
CD-ROM to the Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, NMFS
Southeast Regional Office, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, Suite 102, St.
Petersburg, FL 33702. For more information, contact: Jennifer Moore or Dr.
Stephania Bolden in the Southeast Regional Office at (727) 570-5312, or Marta
Nammack in the Office of Protected Resources at (301) 713-1401, ext. 180.

[firefish2020]

Im afraid we will likely see more and more of this in the coming years. All the better reason to buy aquacultured corals.

[Reefmaniac1]

Another reason: They are healthier.