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Southeast Florida Reefs February 27, 2013 Katharine Tzadik Land Based Sources of Pollution Coordinator DEP Coral Program

Coral Reef Conservation Program. Southeast Florida Reefs February 27, 2013 Katharine Tzadik Land Based Sources of Pollution Coordinator DEP Coral Program. Communication Equation. Coral Reefs Worldwide. Coral Limitations. 5 Major Features Limit our Coral Reef Development . Light Depth

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Southeast Florida Reefs February 27, 2013 Katharine Tzadik Land Based Sources of Pollution Coordinator DEP Coral Program

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  1. Coral Reef Conservation Program Southeast Florida Reefs February 27, 2013 Katharine Tzadik Land Based Sources of Pollution Coordinator DEP Coral Program

  2. Communication Equation

  3. Coral Reefs Worldwide

  4. Coral Limitations 5 Major Features Limit our Coral Reef Development Light Depth Temperature Salinity Sedimentation

  5. Why Are Coral Reefs So Important? Coastal Protection Socio-economic Benefits Coral reefs in South Florida generate $6.1billion in sales and income and support 71,000 jobs in the region each year. Food & Medicine for Humans

  6. Florida’s Greatest Natural Treasures The Everglades The Florida Reef Tract

  7. The Florida Reef Tract 43+ species of stony corals 37 species of octocorals (gorgonians) 70 species of sponges 404 species of fish 600+ species of invertebrates

  8. The Southeast Florida Region Approximately 105 miles across 4 counties

  9. Oldest SE FL Coral Began Growing in 1694!

  10. Spawning Events

  11. Cool Migrations

  12. Occasional Visitors to Our Reefs

  13. Threats to Reef Health Coral disease Invasive species Coral bleaching Lyngbya blooms

  14. Threats to Reef Health Direct impacts from anchors & divers Beach nourishment projects Pollution from storm drains, canals & ocean outfalls

  15. Coral Decline & Current Laws Coral cover on some Caribbean reefs has declined up to 80% over 30 years Since 1996, ~ 37% loss of coral cover recorded in Florida Keys The entire Florida Reef Tract is protected by the Florida Coral Reef Protection Act The Endangered Species Act currently protects 2 coral species

  16. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) 1998 Executive Order 13089 creates U.S. Coral Reef Task Force USCRTF to support on the ground action to conserve coral reefs 2002USCRTF requires Local Action Strategies LAS to reduce coral reef threats 2003 Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative created. SE Florida chosen – lacked management plan 2004 FDEP CRCP created to manage SEFCRI Coral Program to encourage stakeholder participation in protecting SEFL’s coral reefs

  17. A stakeholder group of 70 partners from government, academia, non-governmental organizations, and reef users. Goal - To balance the use and protection of SEFL’s reefs. Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative SEFCRI Four Focus Areas: 127 of 140 LAS projects ranging from education to research are completed or underway!

  18. Awareness and Appreciation (AA) • TV/Radio PSAs • News articles/Facebook/Twitter • Teacher resources e.g. trainings, trunks • Coral/Fish/Invertebrate ID Classes • Wayside exhibits at local boat ramps

  19. Fishing, Diving and Other Uses (FDOU) FDOU Projects focused on the need to: • Understand varying user perceptions of the region • Determine the impacts of extractive activities& indirect impacts on coral reef ecosystems.

  20. Land Based Sources of Pollution (LBSP)

  21. LBSP Project Example Amount and Flow of Nutrients Exiting Coastal Inlets Boynton Inlet

  22. Maritime Industry and Coastal Construction Impacts (MICCI) Issue 1 – Compliance and enforcement of permit conditions • Waterproof cards to help with coral identification, and examples of what is considered an impact.

  23. Maritime Industry and Coastal Construction Impacts (MICCI) Issue 2 – Artificial reef creation and natural reef restoration activities • Studying the recovery of injury areas and development on mitigation reefs helps us understand how similar they are to natural reefs.

  24. Reef Injury Prevention and Response (RIPR) Program Goal: To reduce impacts to coral reef habitat via education & outreach, increased enforcement and targeted projects. • How: Coordinate response for groundings, anchoring and sunken vessel incidents off Miami- Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties. Photo: FDEP CRCP Photo: FDEP CRCP

  25. RIPR – Future Restoration Project • In the next 3 years FDEP will complete a coral reef restoration project. • Up to 1,625 m2 of injured reef will be restored. Restoration Site Locations

  26. SEFCRI Management Options Identification Process

  27. SE Florida’s Reefs Need YOU! • - SEFCRI Team Member Positions, including the TAC • Attend Public Meetings in June • Working Group Seats (to be announced)

  28. Southeast Florida Action Network 1-866-770-SEFL (7335) www.SEAFAN.net We’re All Connected ~ Keep It Protected

  29. Earth Month Classes Reef Fish ID: Tue, April 2 (6-9pm) & Thur, April 4 (1-4pm) Marine Invertebrate ID: Tue, April 9 (6-9pm) & Thur, April 11 (1-4pm) Project Aware: Tue, April 16 (6-9pm) & Thur, April 18 (1-4pm) Stony Coral ID: Tue, April 23 (6-9pm) & Thur, April 25 (1-4pm) SEAFAN BleachWatch:Wed, April 10 (6-7:30pm) & Wed, April 17 (2-3:30) LOCATION: 1277 NE 79th Street Cswy Miami, FL 33138 RSVP at Coral@dep.state.fl.us

  30. What can you do? On Land & Everyday In or On the Water • Become a team member or attend our public meetings • www.southeastfloridareefs.net • Report marine incidents • www.seafan.net or • 1-866-770-SEFL (7335) • Reduce runoff and pollution. • Check out our brochure for more! • Be a respectful diver or snorkeler. • Abide by the CRPA and anchor in sand, or tie to a mooring buoy. • Properly dispose of trash and fishing lines or gear. • Reduce, reuse, or recycle. All storm drains lead to the ocean! Coming Soon • Become a citizen scientist with SEAFAN or with REEF fish counts at www.reef.org - Training in April Be a part of the process! Sign up for the e-newsletter at www.southeastfloridareefs.net

  31. THANK YOU PHOTOS BY: Bryan Clark, Phil Dustin, Phillip Gillette, Dave Gilliam, Karen Lane, Joe Marino, Jennifer Podis, Bill Watts & Tim Whitteberry For more information on CRCP, including the SEFCRI Local Action Strategy, visit: www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/programs/coral/ or www.southeastfloridareefs.net Or email us at Coral@dep.state.fl.us

  32. SEAFAN BleachWatch • Early warning system for coral bleaching in southeast Florida. • Based on Florida Keys BleachWatch Program. • Combines NOAA satellite data with field observations from trained BleachWatch Observers. % Live Coral Bleaching

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