AIC Chair’s Report, February 2018: An update on 6 months of activities, actions and needs

/ aiccoral

by Kristine Bucchianeri, AIC Executive Director

39thUSCRTF_Chairs Report

USCRTF Co-chairs, Dr. Russell Callender (NOAA) and Marshall Critchfield (DOI), listen to the AIC Chair’s report, presented by AIC Chair Jean-Pierre Oriol (USVI)

The U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Committee (AIC) just finished up a highly productive week in Washington DC, participating in the 39th US Coral Ref Task Force Meeting and wanted to share with you some highlights of what has been happening since the AIC last met in August 2017.

Four of the AIC Jurisdictions were hit by hurricanes in the past 6 months, and are actively working on recovery efforts.  Florida continues to deal with an unprecedented coral disease outbreak. Despite this, advances were made in watersheds restoration efforts, in building resilience and educating more people about the essential services provided by coral reefs worldwide.

The AIC presented a new initiative last week, that will help ensure coral reefs thrive and continue to survive while facing continual threats from warming oceans, changing acidity, natural disasters and local stressors.  The AIC is moving forward with establishing resilient coral nurseries in each of the jurisdictions to build stronger local breeding stocks of corals, but also to build local capacity in the newest available technologies to help to preserve and protect this important ecosystem. More information on our Plan of Action will be coming soon.

39thUSCRTF_AIC Dinner

AIC Members, Advisers and invited guests had an informal dinner during the Task Force meeting.

Additionally strengthening federal-jurisdiction integration and partnerships, the Coral Reef Management Fellowship Program, and the reauthorization of Coral Reef Conservation Act (of 2000) remain top priorities.

Additionally, the AIC participated in some successful meetings on the USCRTF Watershed Partnership Initiative, a lively meeting of the Climate Change Working Group, and meetings with other essential partners to coral reef conservation efforts.

For more information and details, check out the newest AIC Chair’s  Report presented at the 39th USCRTF Meeting in Washington DC.