Biological assessments of damage to coral reefs following physical impacts resulting from various sources, including boat and ship groundings

Causey, Billy

Wise management of coral reef environments requires that all impacts and stresses to the coral reef ecosystem be identified, and minimized whenever possible. The effects of natural environmental perturbations are more difficult to identify and manage than those impacts resulting from human activity. Obviously, this increases the need for managers of coral reef habitats to recognize those forms of stress and impacts that can be minimized through application of management strategies. Physical damage to coral reefs from boat and ship groundings has been identified as a major imapact to the coral reefs of the Key Largo and Looe Key National Marine Sanctuaries. Sanctuary regulations prohibit vessels from operating in such a manner as to strike or otherwise cause damage to the natural features of the sanctuary. Currently, the primary deterrent for this source of reef damage has been through civil procedures and penalties for vessels grounding cases. Litigation to recover damages to natural resources is also pursued in the case of large scale groundings. This legal process requires that the area impacted, or damaged, be accurately assessed for both biological damage and physical evidence to support the litigation. Methods for conducting such assessments are presented in this paper along with recommendations on what observations are considered important. A review of assessment techniques and application of the information gathered during the assessment process are presented. Some of the criteria used to establish civil penalties for damages to the coral reef resources are discussed in this paper. Abstract provided by author.