U.S. Announcement re: NW Hawaii Coral Reefs

[Roger B Griffis]

Coral List - Here is more information on the U.S. President's directive
on increasing protection for the Northwest Hawaiian coral reef
ecosystem.
______________________
May 26, 2000

PRESIDENT CLINTON: WORKING TO PROTECT HAWAII?S RICH CORAL REEFS

                    THE WHITE HOUSE

               Office of the Press Secretary

___________________________________________________________________________

______
For Immediate Release                                        May 26,
2000


      PRESIDENT CLINTON: WORKING TO PROTECT HAWAII?S RICH CORAL REEFS
                               May 26, 2000

President Clinton will today direct the Secretary of Commerce and the
Secretary of the Interior to develop a plan to permanently protect the
coral reefs of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, which represent nearly 70

percent of the coral reefs in U.S. waters. The Secretaries will develop
the
plan over the next 90 days with public input and in cooperation with the

state of Hawaii.

America's Premier Coral Reefs. The Northwest Hawaiian Islands are an
archipelago of islands over 1200 miles long located west of the main
Hawaiian Islands.  They include Nihoa and Necker Islands, French Frigate

Shoals, Maro Reef, and Pearl &  Hermes Atoll, and are surrounded by some
of
the most extensive and pristine coral reefs in U.S. waters.  The reefs
extend from near-shore areas just beneath the ocean surface to a depth
of
100 fathoms (600 feet), as much as 100 miles out to sea.

The coral reef ecosystem encompasses more than 11,000 square kilometers
and
is home to a diverse and unique assemblage of fish, invertebrates,
birds,
sea turtles, marine mammals and other species found nowhere else on
Earth.
Federally protected species include the threatened green sea turtle, the

endangered leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles, and the only remaining

population of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal.

Securing Permanent Protection.  The President is directing the
Secretaries
of Commerce and the Interior, in cooperation with the State of Hawaii
and
in the consultation with the Western Pacific Fisheries Management
Council,
to develop recommendations for a new, coordinated management regime to
permanently protect the coral reefs and provide for sustainable use of
their resources.  A public outreach process at the outset will include
hearings to gather public comments to help shape the final
recommendations.

The Secretaries' plan will:

-    Assess all ongoing efforts to protect the coral reef ecosystem,
including proposed no-take ecological reserves and the work of the
Western
Pacific Fisheries Management Council;

-    Identify further measures needed to protect the threatened and
endangered species of the ecosystem, including the endangered monk seal,

sea turtles, and short-tailed albatross;

-    Consider establishment of a framework for scientific research and
exploration;

-    Consider establishment of a framework for recreation and tourism
that
identifies appropriate activities and levels consistent with the
protection
and enhancement of the ecosystem, and ensures opportunities for
sustainable
economic activity;

-    Develop a framework, in cooperation with the State of Hawaii and in

consultation the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, for
long-term management of the reefs.

                                    ###
White House Press Information is available on the web at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/library/ThisWeek.cgi


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