Two More Corals Become Threatened Species

BoomerD · 05-09-2006, 01:39 AM

Stumbled onto this doing some research into the relaxation of environmental regs for refineries...

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/sc...21217760.shtml

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2006 (UPI) -- Two types of corals have been declared threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act -- reportedly the first time coral has been placed on that list.

Elkhorn and staghorn corals have been deteriorating for years in the shallow waters off Florida and in the Caribbean, the Naples (Fla.) Daily News reported Monday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says elkhorn and staghorn corals -- the main building blocks of the region's coral reef ecosystems for 500,000 years -- have declined by approximately 97 percent since the 1970s.

Disease, rising sea temperatures and hurricanes are the corals' biggest threats, according to a March 2005 federal study. They can become stressed by as small as a 2-degree change in water temperature. In addition, coral can be adversely affected by pollution, runoff and bleaching.

Jack Sobel, an ecosystem scientist with The Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit group based in Washington, said listing under the Endangered Species Act demands aggressive actions.

"It (the ESA) does have some hammers associated with it," he told the newspaper. "If you're going to arrest the decline in these species you're going to have to use those hammers."

mps9506 · 05-11-2006, 10:18 AM

So what washington going to allow the ESA to do about it?
Cut co2 lvls? Decrease greenhouse emissions?
Sorry, just seems that environemtal policy isn't very high up the list in Washington these days...
Hope I'm wrong.

Charlie97L · 06-14-2006, 11:49 AM

i have a friend that is getting a masters degree in environmental management, and she says it's definitely gaining ground... but things we are doing ARE helping, like the ozone layer is repairing itself from when they cut the emissions with regulations in the 80s. i think just being proactive about things helps... it might take 20 years to see improvement, but i'm optimistic.

05-09-2006, 01:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	Two More Corals Become Threatened Species Stumbled onto this doing some research into the relaxation of environmental regs for refineries... http://www.postchronicle.com/news/sc...21217760.shtml WASHINGTON, May 8, 2006 (UPI) -- Two types of corals have been declared threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act -- reportedly the first time coral has been placed on that list. Elkhorn and staghorn corals have been deteriorating for years in the shallow waters off Florida and in the Caribbean, the Naples (Fla.) Daily News reported Monday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says elkhorn and staghorn corals -- the main building blocks of the region's coral reef ecosystems for 500,000 years -- have declined by approximately 97 percent since the 1970s. Disease, rising sea temperatures and hurricanes are the corals' biggest threats, according to a March 2005 federal study. They can become stressed by as small as a 2-degree change in water temperature. In addition, coral can be adversely affected by pollution, runoff and bleaching. Jack Sobel, an ecosystem scientist with The Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit group based in Washington, said listing under the Endangered Species Act demands aggressive actions. "It (the ESA) does have some hammers associated with it," he told the newspaper. "If you're going to arrest the decline in these species you're going to have to use those hammers." __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

05-11-2006, 10:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally back Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 8,525 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Two More Corals Become Threatened Species So what washington going to allow the ESA to do about it? Cut co2 lvls? Decrease greenhouse emissions? Sorry, just seems that environemtal policy isn't very high up the list in Washington these days... Hope I'm wrong. __________________ Mike Reefkeeping Since '99 Help Build Reefpedia Premium Memberships Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

06-14-2006, 11:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
Charlie97L Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Two More Corals Become Threatened Species i have a friend that is getting a masters degree in environmental management, and she says it's definitely gaining ground... but things we are doing ARE helping, like the ozone layer is repairing itself from when they cut the emissions with regulations in the 80s. i think just being proactive about things helps... it might take 20 years to see improvement, but i'm optimistic. __________________ 40 Breeder, 20H Frag Aquactinics T5s, CPR Fuge, Deltec AP600, AC Jr, WavySea

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