Resilient Reefs Now – Takeaways from the Capitol Hill Oceans Week virtual session

Tailoring how we restore and manage the 350 mile tract of coral reef off of Florida’s southeast coast in rapidly changing conditions was the topic of conversation during the Resilient Reefs Now: Innovation and Adaptation for Florida’s Coral Reef virtual session at Capitol Hill Oceans Week.

The compounded threats of rising ocean temperatures, disease outbreak and human activity have led to an alarming decline in the ecosystems that make this reef a national treasure. Once rich with large iconic elkhorn and staghorn corals, these anchors of the reef have all but disappeared. An estimated 90% of the corals that once thrived here are gone.

The National Ocean and Atmospheric association manages the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary which includes roughly two-thirds of Florida’s reef. They’ve spent the last 6 years assessing the state of the sanctuary and drafting a management plan called the Restoration Blueprint to aid in its survival and recovery. Sarah Fangman, Superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary pointed out tools within the Blueprint that could help federal officials respond more effectively to climate events like we had last summer. The summer of 2023 was the warmest on record for these waters, and it stayed warmer longer than any other year in history. This caused a massive bleaching event that some coral did not recover from.

Associate Vice President of Research at Mote Marine Laboratory Dr. Erinn Muller spoke to the herculean efforts to save established coral nurseries during the heatwave and after. She said they made the choice to reestablish some of those nurseries in deeper, cooler waters. The new Restoration Blueprint will create and expand protected areas around those deeper reefs.

Dr. Muller gave details about the research gathered after the heatwave to identify and propagate more heat resistant coral.

Career conservationist Chris Bergh was also on the panel. As the Florida Field Program Director of The Nature Conservancy he’s seen the decline coming for a long time. Bergh stressed the importance of flexibility in managing the reef system. He pointed out that conditions are changing so rapidly that state and federal agencies who oversee these imperiled ecosystems, have to be innovative and adaptive in their approach. Our approach to managing the reef now, could determine its survival.

We know that it’s not just the job of the agencies trying to manage this incredible resource to save it. It’s everyone’s job. Monroe county Mayor Holly Raschein said the response from the community has been tremendous, but this reef has an impact beyond her community. The state of Florida is home to the only barrier reef in the continental United States, and everyone can play a part in saving it. She suggested adding an eco-event to vacation plans like a coastal clean-up or coral planting session.

A list of 12 ways to pledge support for coral reefs from the International Coral Reef Society was dropped into the chat during the session so attendees can learn how they can take action for the reef. Please take a look and consider how you can take part in one or more of these pledges to help save this incredible ecosystem.

Environment Florida advocate Mia McCormick moderated the online event.