reef fish for food and for the aquarium 

 industry altered the ecological balance of 

 reef systems, adds Brian Keller, sanctuary 

 research coordinator. 



In other parts of the world, some 

 fishers are using dynamite to drive rare 

 fish out of the nooks and crannies of coral 

 reefs. Others are using poisonous gas to 

 stun and take rare specimens alive. The 

 corals don't fare as well, Keller says. 



The dumping of untreated 

 stormwater, runoff of sediment, and 

 leeching from thousands of septic tanks 

 into near-shore waters of the Florida Keys 

 are exacting their toll on water quality. 



"All told, we're talking major 

 pollution, overfishing and habitat 

 destruction," Causey says. "That's why 

 Alina's two-pronged project is so 

 important." 



A coral reef, he says, is a one of a 

 kind marine resource with huge environ- 

 mental, ecological and economic implica- 

 tions. Many world leaders are aware of the 

 importance of coral reef management — 

 it's an issue that crosses political and 

 geographic boundaries. 



"My theory — I call it the Billy 

 Causey theory — is that marine life is 

 fairly resilient, given good water quality, 

 good management practices, good habitat. 

 It's a three-legged stool. Without all three, 

 the stool will tip over," he says. 



Given the importance of coral reefs 

 habitat, Szmant and her research col- 

 leagues are hopeful that their research 

 project will emerge as an effective coral 

 reef management tool. 



"We're humble enough to know that 

 this is a small effort. But we are deter- 

 mined to plug away at things that can help 

 even in small ways," Szmant says. 



As for Causey, he promises to be 

 there when the researchers release the sea 

 urchins and the cultured coral larvae into 

 the sanctuary reef. 



"It's exciting," he says. "Plus, it's my 

 job to see that best methods and the best 

 science are used to help restore the reef. 

 Alina's project is the best of both." □ 



National .Marine 

 Sanctuaries: 



Our Deepest Treasures 



In 1 972, the nation made a commitment to preserve its marine resources 

 by establishing the National Marine Sanctuary Program under the aegis of the 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The mission is "to 

 conserve, protect and enhance the biodiversity, ecological integrity and 

 cultural legacy of our nation's deepest treasures." 



The first national sanctuary, the wreck site of the USS Monitor, was 

 established in 1975. The historic relic, which rests on the seafloor about 16 

 miles off Cape Hatteras, is protected from human activities such as vessel 

 anchoring and fishing. 



Since that first designation, 1 2 more sites have been added to the 

 network — encompassing about 20,000 square miles of ocean and Great 

 Lakes waters. Together, these varied marine ecosystems represent a new 

 frontier for increasing an understanding of the importance of healthy oceans 

 — their effects on climate, significance as a food source, importance to 

 commerce and potential for medical cures. 



In 1 990, Congress created the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, 

 where the University North Carolina at Wilmington oversees the National 

 Undersea Research Program, considered the sanctuary's research arm. 



The sanctuary extends from Key Biscayne southwest to the Dry Tortugas 

 Islands, a national park. The sanctuary's 2,800 square miles of coastal and 

 ocean waters and submerged land embrace interdependent marine environ- 

 ments — seagrass meadows, mangrove islands and extensive patch and 

 barrier coral reefs. The Florida Keys' barrier reef is the third largest in the 

 world. 



Congress reauthorized the Marine Sanctuaries Act in October 2000, 

 setting new levels of appropriations to protect vital ocean resources. 



In addition, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force was established by executive 

 order in 1 998 to address threats to the health of the coral reef ecosystem. 

 Joint responsibility was given to NOAA for the U.S. Department of Commerce 

 and federal agencies under the Department of Interior to promote conserva- 

 tion and sustainable use of coral reefs. 



In March 2001 , the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary plan was 

 approved to protect the coral reefs of the Tortugas, west of Key West, by 

 establishing a "no-take" ecological reserve. The plan prohibits the taking of all 

 marine life as well as vessel anchoring and discharge. This area is important 

 spawning waters for snapper and grouper and habitat for golden crab, 

 snowy grouper and tilefish. 



There are 23 other no-take areas in the sanctuary network. — P.S. 



COASTWATCH 



11 



