The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) supports coral health through participation in two interagency coordination bodies, the Florida Disturbance Advisory Committee, which is focused on joint management of the Florida Coral Reef Tract, and the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, which is focused on joint management of reef resources within U.S. Territories in both the Caribbean and Pacific.
Why this matters: Coral reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. In response, The National Wildlife Health Center has engaged and provides technical assistance to support interagency coordination bodies focused on coral reef health.
NWHC’s participation in these interagency groups was initiated pursuant to a request to support early intervention and response efforts to stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD). SCTLD was first identified in 2014 and has since spread through the entire Florida reef tract, covering more than 400 nautical miles. SCTLD causes high morbidity and mortality in over 20 reef building coral species, highlighting concerns for long-term viability of the Florida reefs. In October 2023, NWHC participated in a Pacific preparedness workshop hosted by the disease working group at the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The workshop’s purpose was to provide hands on training in how to recognize gross lesions consistent with SCTLD, develop response plans including a communication/coordination contact network, and identify potential treatments to slow disease spread. A portion of the NWHC coral disease program involves sampling and diagnostic support for coral disease outbreaks. The workshop provided an opportunity to raise awareness of NWHC services and capability to support coordinated response efforts in the U.S. Pacific territories. NWHC will continue to provide technical expertise to these two interagency groups as SCTLD and other major disturbances are increasing in frequency, severity, and extent of affected reefs.
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) supports coral health through participation in two interagency coordination bodies, the Florida Disturbance Advisory Committee, which is focused on joint management of the Florida Coral Reef Tract, and the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, which is focused on joint management of reef resources within U.S. Territories in both the Caribbean and Pacific.
Why this matters: Coral reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. In response, The National Wildlife Health Center has engaged and provides technical assistance to support interagency coordination bodies focused on coral reef health.
NWHC’s participation in these interagency groups was initiated pursuant to a request to support early intervention and response efforts to stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD). SCTLD was first identified in 2014 and has since spread through the entire Florida reef tract, covering more than 400 nautical miles. SCTLD causes high morbidity and mortality in over 20 reef building coral species, highlighting concerns for long-term viability of the Florida reefs. In October 2023, NWHC participated in a Pacific preparedness workshop hosted by the disease working group at the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The workshop’s purpose was to provide hands on training in how to recognize gross lesions consistent with SCTLD, develop response plans including a communication/coordination contact network, and identify potential treatments to slow disease spread. A portion of the NWHC coral disease program involves sampling and diagnostic support for coral disease outbreaks. The workshop provided an opportunity to raise awareness of NWHC services and capability to support coordinated response efforts in the U.S. Pacific territories. NWHC will continue to provide technical expertise to these two interagency groups as SCTLD and other major disturbances are increasing in frequency, severity, and extent of affected reefs.