MONDAY, JUNE 20^th, 2016

Workshops and Town Halls

The Science and Management of Water Quality on Coral Reef

The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and its member organizations have identified water quality as a key factor that impacts coral reef health. There is currently a gap between the management community conducting the monitoring, and the science that identifies key contaminants and quantities that cause impacts. This workshop will be an opportunity for experts to assist Task Force member agencies with efforts at revising and updating monitoring to support resource management. Visit https://www.sgmeet.com/icrs2016/workshops-townhalls.asp.
Time: 19:00 - 21:00 HST
Location: 308 A/B

Oral Presentations

NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Integrated Ecosystem Monitoring and Reporting in U.S. Coral Reef Areas to Inform Conservation and Management

Presenter: Justine Kimball, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

The NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program is a new effort to put boots on the ground and fins in the water to collect biological, physical, and socioeconomic data pertaining to coral reef resources throughout the U.S. Pacific, Atlantic, and Caribbean. The overarching goal of this effort is to collect the information needed to gauge the changing conditions of U.S. coral reef ecosystems and support well-informed ecosystem-based conservation and management. This presentation will highlight data collected through this effort and what it will, in time, tell us about the state of U.S. coral reefs. More information ...
Time: 14:00 HST
Location: 305 A/B

Large-scale, Long-term Interdisciplinary Ecosystem Assessment and Monitoring of the U.S. Pacific Islands to Support Ecosystem-based Management and Conservation>

Presenter: Rusty Brainard, NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program/NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

NOAA's Coral Reef Ecosystem Program and partners map, monitor, and conduct applied research to provide information to support sustainable management of the coral reef ecosystems in U.S. coral reef areas in the Pacific. This work is part of the NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program. This presentation will highlight how these analyses can inform efforts by fisheries and coastal resource managers to effectively implement ecosystem-based management to achieve a balance between ecological and human well-being. More information ...
Time: 14:15 HST
Location: 305 A/B

TUESDAY, JUNE 21^st, 2016

Workshops and Town Halls

Climate Change & Coral Bleaching

This meeting is organised by ISRS and supporting organisations to discuss the current dire threat of climate change and coral bleaching to reef ecosystems. What should the reef science and management community do to alert both decision makers and the general public to the seriousness of this threat? The meeting is open to both ISRS members and non-members. Visit https://www.sgmeet.com/icrs2016/workshops-townhalls.asp.
Time: 19:00 - 21:00 HST
Location: 301 Theater

Oral Presentations

Two Years and Counting: Monitoring and Documenting the Ongoing Global Coral Bleaching Event (2014-2016 and Beyond)>

Presenter: C. Mark Eakin, NOAA Coral Reef Watch/NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

With the strong 2015-16 ENSO, bleaching may continue through much of 2016 in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and return to the Caribbean. It may even continue into 2017, and will likely spread even more broadly if a strong La Niña develops. This presentation will highlight the latest satellite and field data on the ongoing global bleaching event and its impacts on coral reefs worldwide. More information ...
Time: 09:30 HST
Location: 314

Historic Steps Taken by Cuba and the U.S. to Collaborate on Marine Protected Areas

Presenter: Billy Causey, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

On Nov 18, 2015, the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Cuba's Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment to cooperate on the conservation and management of Marine Protected Areas. This achievement follows years of work by many individuals and organizations to bring together marine scientists, resource users and managers in both countries to develop joint conservation strategies for the marine ecosystem of the region. This presentation will discuss how the signing of the MOU lays the foundation to build important cooperative programs to support marine science, management, and education efforts in both countries. More information ...
Time: 09:30 HST
Location: 302 A/B

Coral Zombies: Assessment of Reproductive Condition in Acropora Palmata across the U.S. Caribbean

Presenter: Cheryl Woodley, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science/NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

Reproductive failure in Caribbean Acropora is a critical factor in their Endangered Species Act listing and in preventing the species' recovery. Previous work on Acropora palmata (elkhorn coral) reproductive condition indicates that visually intact and 'apparently healthy' colonies can in fact carry mild to severe reproductive pathologies. We will discuss our efforts to identify key locations where further management actions are needed to promote species recovery and provide the first step in an epidemiological approach to understanding drivers of decline in certain populations, as well as populations warranting heightened protection (resilient populations). More information ...
Time: 09:30 HST
Location: 317 A/B

Extending Soundscape Surveys of Coral Reefs Using Autonomous Ocean Gliders

Presenter: Chris Taylor, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science/NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

Autonomous ocean gliders are platforms advantageous for surveying large geographic regions to study bioacoustic and anthropogenic noise under water. The gliders have been used to successfully locate fish spawning aggregations and other reef fish habits in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We will discuss considerations for novel applications of this technology in underwater exploration. We will also explore expanding use of these autonomous platforms for extending the coverage of research of soundscapes in coral reef ecosystems. More information ...
Time: 15:15 HST
Location: 312

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

Workshops and Town Halls

Experiences and best practices with citizen science activities

In connection with Session 88: "Citizen Science in Support for Coral Reef Protection and Sustainability", we invite meeting attendees to a special town hall forum to share their experiences as an organizer, scientist, and/or participant in citizen science activities and to learn from each other. Along with our formal paper and poster sessions, this open dialog will help to identify challenges and opportunities, levels of engagement, lessons learned and best practices for the role of citizen science in coral reef conservation. Visit http://www.greatbarrierreefcitizenscience.org.au/icrs-2016/.

Oral Presentations

Resilience-based Management of Coral Reef Ecosystems: Past, Present and Future

Presenter: Britt Parker, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

Recent innovations in resilience-based management provide an approach to ecosystem-based management that is forward-looking, holistic and adaptive in nature, and address both current and future pressures, including climate and non-climate threats. This presentation will outline NOAA and partner contributions to this body of work, and will highlight priority next steps and progress made to integrate social and ecological resilience into coral reef management. More information ...
Time 09:30 HST
Location: 305 A/B

Manell-Geus: A Model for Fostering Multi-Agency Collaboration

Presenter: Adrienne Loerzel, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

Guam's Manell-Geus watershed contains extensive coral reefs and sea grass beds. These habitats support a strong fishing tradition and important cultural connections, but they are impaired by poor water quality associated with sedimentation and stormwater management issues. NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program and Guam's local coral managers identified Manell-Geus as one of two priority sites in 2010, while NOAA Fisheries named the site a Habitat Blueprint Focus Area in 2013. These two designations have catalyzed new partnerships for increased conservation work in the watershed. With coordination and technical assistance from NOAA's Coral Program, partners are currently working on a range of forest restoration, habitat mapping, water quality, and other efforts to address threats to the watershed and its adjacent coral reefs. Private and community partners also participate by volunteering, providing access to private lands, and learning new skills to actively conserve these areas. NOAA's commitment to fostering partnerships for this site is increasing conservation efforts both in Manell-Geus and around the island. More information ....
Time: 09:30HST
Location: 303 A/B

The Our Florida Reefs Community Planning Process: Collaborative Management Action Design to Inform the Conservation of Southeast Florida's Coral Reef Ecosystem

Presenter: Dana Wusinich-Mendez, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

The Our Florida Reefs Community Planning Process is an unprecedented initiative that engages community members in marine resource management in Florida to identify actions that should be taken to strengthen coral reef conservation and management in the region. This area, which is inhabited by more than 6 million residents with an additional 30 million tourists visiting each year, lies adjacent to the northern third of the Florida Reef Tract. This presentation will outline the overall approach and how outcomes of the process will provide Florida with a strategic policy framework for the integrated management of coral resources along its southeast coast. More information ...
Time: 09:45 HST
Location: 303 A/B

Curbing Sedimentation of Coral Reefs through Comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement: A Case Study from Faga'alu, American Samoa

Presenter: Hideyo Hattori, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

Although comprehensive stakeholder—engagement is recognized as essential for a holistic and effective approach to conservation, efforts often fall short in one sector or another. This presentation will share lessons learned from Faga'alu, American Samoa, a small Pacific island tropical watershed, where a collaborative ethos continues to push initiatives to curb sedimentation of coral reefs. More information ...
Time: 10:15 HST
Location: 303 A/B

Cooperative Partnership for Coral Reef Conservation

Point of Contact: Jenny Waddell, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

The Nature Conservancy and the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program recently completed a $10 million six-year partnership to support effective management and protection of coral reefs. The work focused on providing planning, science, and on-the-ground implementation activities in seven U.S. coral reef areas. This presentation will outline TNC, NOAA and local resource management agency contributions to support this body of work, and will highlight processes for effective collaboration, progress made and lessons learned in the implementation of long-term cooperative agreements to build coral reef management capacity. More information ...
Time: 13:45 HST
Location: 303 A/B

A Decade of Successful Partnerships through NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program Fishery Liaisons in the U.S Pacific Islands Region

Presenter: Robert E. Schroeder, NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office/NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

Partnerships are critical to effective coral reef conservation in the Pacific. We will present a number of conservation success stories from Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Hawaii that give us all reasons to be hopeful about the future of our nation's coral reefs. More information ...
Time: 15:00 HST
Location: 303 A/B

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Workshops and Town Halls

A Town Hall: Future Impacts of Personal Care Product Pollution to Coral Reefs

The International Programme on the State of the Ocean, IUCN and World Parks Congress will present the findings of a scientific workshop held in the Spring of 2016 and in June 2016 in Honolulu of threats posed to marine habitats and ecosystems from pollution originating in domestically used personal care products, the possible implications for future marine science field investigation, policy recommendations to decision makers, and approaches to communications to the general public. Visit: https://www.sgmeet.com/icrs2016/workshops-townhalls.asp

Oral Presentations

The Contributions of Socioeconomic Monitoring for Coral Reef Conservation in the US

Presenter: Maria Dillard, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science/NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program is leading an effort to incorporate social and economic monitoring into a new, integrated national monitoring plan for U.S. coral reef locations. Scientists are now collecting information to track relevant social and economic information for each jurisdiction in order to investigate the impacts of society on coral reefs and the contributions of healthy corals to nearby communities. This presentation will highlight initial findings and how this information can help communities conserve their coral reef resources. More information ...
Time: 09:45
Location: 305 A/B

Recovery Plan for Acropora Palmata and Acropora Cervicornis

Presenter: Alison Moulding, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

In 2006, elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) and staghorn coral (A. cervicornis) were listed as threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and in March 2015, NOAA Fisheries adopted a recovery plan for the two species. Although recovery plans are developed under U.S. law, the recovery plan for elkhorn and staghorn corals can be used as a guide for conservation of the species in other countries. Because threats to elkhorn and staghorn corals are both local and global in nature, recovery will require concerted effort on the part of domestic and international communities. This presentation will provide an overview of the recovery plan for both species. More Information ....
Time: 10:15 HST
Location: 303 A/B

Professional SCUBA Divers above the Waterline: Using Expert Assessment to Inform Coral Reef Management

Presenter: Jarrod Loerzel, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciecne/NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

Scientists and natural resource managers have increasingly recruited SCUBA divers to collect data that will improve our understanding about the status of marine resources and environments. This has enabled researchers to expand data collection efforts, while minimizing research costs. We will discuss how local ecological knowledge can be used to provide an expert assessment of the relative quality and threat levels of area coral reefs, as well as understand which reefs are most used. In ideal cases, expert assessment can serve as a supplement to biophysical data collected through regular coral reef monitoring. Where rich biophysical data does not exist, expert assessment may be a substitute. More information ....
Time: 10:45 HST
Locaton: 305 A/B

Capacity Building in the Coral Triangle Region: G2G Efforts

Presenter: Jason Philibotte, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

Since 2009, The Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) has proved a unique opportunity to provide government-to-government support for capacity building around ocean and coastal resource management—from marine protected area management, ecosystem approach to fisheries management, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fisheries. This initiative has included the governments of the six CTI countries, several USAID missions, NOAA, and international and local non-governmental organizations. We will provide an overview of this effort and some of its outcomes. More information ....
Time: 16:15 HST
Location: 303 A/B

FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016

Oral Presentations

Roving Predators Reloaded: An Investigation of Shark and Jack Populations in Shallow (0-30m) and Mesophotic Depths (30-100m) in the Hawaiian Archipelago

Presenter: Jacob Asher, NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program/Curtin University

Coral reef roving predators (sharks, jacks, snappers) are generally believed to be depleted around human population centers. In Hawaii, most of the data to support this conclusion come from underwater visual censuses of shallow water reef ecosystems (0-30m). However, information on the density and distribution of mobile predators in mesophotic depths (30-100m+) remains sparse. This presentation will highlight methods uses to study these predators and some key findings. More information....
Time: 10:00 HST
Location: 314

Impacts of 6 Years of Herbivore Protection at Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area (KHFMA), Maui

Presenter: Ivor Williams, NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program/NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

In response to concerns about declining coral cover and recurring macroalgal blooms, the Hawaii established the KHFMA in 2009. Within the KHFMA, herbivorous fishes and sea urchins are protected, but other fishing is allowed. We conducted surveys at KHFMA and comparison sites around Maui 19 months before closure and covering six years of herbivore protection. Scientists will discuss the impact of herbivore protection in the area, and if such management actions are support coral recovery. More information ....
Time: 14:15 HST
Location: 305 A/B