Priorities for Coral Reef Management in the Hawaiian Archipelago 2010-2020

36 Pages·2011·0.99 MB·English

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CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT PRIORITIESan
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HAWAIIAN ARCHIPELAGO’S

CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES
The State of Hawai‘i and NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. 2010. Priorities for Coral Reef Management in the
Hawaiian Archipelago: 2010-2020. Silver Spring, MD: NOAA.
The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program would like to thank all those involved in the process to identify and publish the
coral reef management priorities for the Hawaiian Archipelago. The commitment, time and effort invested in this process is
greatly appreciated. These priorities will play an important role in defining NOAA’s partnership with the jurisdiction to work
towards coral reef conservation. Special thanks to Zhe Liu for graphic design and Lauren Chhay for photo support.
Cover Photo Credit: © James D. Watt / Oceanstock
CONTENTS
2 INTRODUCTION
7
SECTION ONE: CONTEXT
15
SECTION TWO: MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
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SECTION THREE: TEN YEAR PRIORITY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
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SECTION FOUR: PRIORITY SITE SELECTION PROCESS AND NEXT STEPS
22 SECTION FIVE: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HAWAII’S REEF MANAGEMENT
PRIORITIES AND THOSE OF NOAA CRCP
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28 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION II
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DOCUMENTS FOR HAWAI‘I BY AGENCY C
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33 APPENDIX ONE: THE HAWAI‘I CORAL REEF STRATEGY: PRIORITIES FOR MAN- ef M
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AGEMENT IN THE MAIN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, 2010–2020 n
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INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Priority Setting document is to articulate a set of
strategic coral reef management priorities developed in consensus by
the coral reef managers in Hawai‘i. NOAA will use this document in
conjunction with its NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Goals
& Objectives 2010-2015 (available at www.coralreef.noaa.gov) to
direct its investment in activities in each jurisdiction through grants,
cooperative agreements and internal funding. NOAA will also make
the document available to other potential funders (non-governmental
organizations [NGOs], federal partners, etc.) and encourage
leveraging and new or expanded partnerships to build common coral
reef conservation goals.
Need aNd PurPose of aN Islands being led by the State of Hawai‘i to
further consult with site managers in the
archiPelagic coral reef
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) and
MaNageMeNt Priorities
develop archipelagic reef management
docuMeNt priorities for the years 2010-2020 addressing
key threats to reefs. NOAA CRCP will use
Recent federal initiatives by the National this document to direct its investment and
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration activities in each jurisdiction through grants,
(NOAA) have provided an impetus for the cooperative agreements and internal funding.
development of this Hawaiian Archipelago NOAA will prioritize investments where
Coral Reef Management Priorities document. actions will address the national level goals
While NOAA’s national level goals and and objectives as well as the jurisdictional
objectives have special emphasis on priorities. NOAA will also make the document
addressing the impacts of climate change, available to other potential funders (NGOs,
fishing and land-based sources of pollution, federal partners, etc.) and encourage leverage
it was recognized that state and territory and partnership to build common coral reef
priorities also needed to be identified conservation goals.
to effectively manage coral reefs in the
United States. In Hawai‘i, NOAA's Coral
Reef Consevation Program built upon the
priority setting process for the Main Hawaiian
2
hawaiiaN archiPelago coral In addition, recent efforts made by the
Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance to address
reef MaNageMeNt Priorities
climate change are referenced as they will
docuMeNt Process
provide valuable leverage throughout the
archipelago in addressing this threat.
The Hawaiian Islands Archipelago has often
been divided into two separate geographic
regions when developing management the hawai‘i coral reef
strategies: the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) and
strategy: Priorities for
the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI).
MaNageMeNt iN the MaiN
This distinction has been made mainly due to
the vast geographic scope that the archipelago hawaiiaN islaNds, 2010–2020
represents stretching for over 1,500 miles
across the Pacific, as well as the distinct The eight main Hawaiian Islands support
differences in threats in the larger eight over 140,000 acres of coral reef habitat. On
populated islands versus the smaller non- the most southern and largest island—
populated islands to the northwest. However, Hawai‘i—reefs are still forming around an
this document is aimed at representing the island that continues to grow in size due to
coral reef resource management priorities an active volcano. The types and variety of
throughout the entire archipelago, recognizing marine habitats are highly varied from island
the value and importance of managing reefs to island, from coral communities to fringing
at an ecoregional scale as well as coordinating reefs, to unique patch reefs, reef slopes
and leveraging management efforts among and barrier reefs. Reefs around population
both regions. The Hawaiian Archipelago has centers in the urban areas have been heavily
been designated as its own distinct Large impacted by development, runoff and
Marine Ecosystem (Sherman et al., 2004). overuse, experiencing increasing stress from
human and land-based impacts due to ever-
To coordinate and leverage management increasing population pressures (Friedlander
efforts at an ecoregional scale, this document et al., 2008).
identifies a set of goals and objectives
designed to serve as a framework for The State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and
management activities affecting coral Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Aquatic
reefs in the Hawaiian Archipelago for the Resources (DAR) is the primary agency
next decade. This priorities framework is responsible for managing Hawaii’s aquatic
the result of the analysis of relevant ocean resources and coordinating Hawaii’s reef
management plans, numerous past public management efforts in the main Hawaiian
meetings and interviews of key stakeholders Islands. Over the past 10 years, DAR has led
representing input by hundreds of individuals the development of six multi-agency Local
and organizations. There are two specific Action Strategies (LAS) (under guidance HA
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processes and plans that significantly inform from the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force): Climate A
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the scope of this document. They are: Change and Marine Disease, Lack of Public I’S
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1. The Hawai‘i Coral Reef Strategy: ABawsaerde nSeosusr,c Ceos roafl PRoeleluf tFiioshne (rsiueps,p Loarntedd- by oral R
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Priorities for Management in the Main the EPA and NRCS), Recreational Impacts ef M
Hawaiian Islands, 2010–2020, and an
to Reefs, and Aquatic Invasive Species. LAS a
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2. The Papahānaumokuākea Marine were developed as three-year strategic me
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National Monument Management Plan documents and included goals, objectives t P
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INTRODUCTION
and activities to abate respective threats. design and implement a priority setting
DAR also completed the marine component process for the ten-year strategy. The process
of the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation included an ongoing exchange of expert
Strategy, and developed a draft Marine opinion between the CRWG, LAS Advisory
Protected Areas (MPA) framework to provide Groups, and DAR biologists. Further details
clarity on the goals, objectives and key on the process for development of goals
activities that currently exist in a suite of and objectives can be found in Appendix 1
different types of marine managed sites. (HCRS, Section 3: Development of Goals and
Objectives).
While DAR has sought to coordinate these
efforts, each strategy was developed
PaPahānaumokuākea
somewhat independently. In order to
MariNe NatioNal MoNuMeNt
provide a more cohesive strategy for coral
reef management in Hawai‘i, DAR began MaNageMeNt PlaN
development of The Hawai‘i Coral Reef
Strategy: Priorities for Management in the Main In addition to the eight main islands, the
Hawaiian Islands 2010–2020 (HCRS) in May Hawaiian Island Archipelago also includes a
2007. The Coral Reef Working Group (CRWG), chain of ten small islands and atolls. Starting
made up of key state and federal partners 155 miles north and west of the island of
involved in coral reef management, was Kaua‘i, these small islands and atolls, once
established to help provide guidance for the referred to as the NWHI, were recently
state of Hawaii’s coral program and in 2008 designated as the Papahānaumokuākea
restructured to advise the development of Marine National Monument (PMNM).
The Hawai‘i Coral Reef Strategy. Extending over 1,200 miles and
encompassing an area of approximately
Initial steps in the strategic planning 140,000 square miles, Papahānaumokuākea
process included review and analysis of is one of the largest MPA in the world.
numerous ocean, coral reefs, watershed, The abundant coral ecosystem that can
coastal zone management and ecosystem- be found in the subtropical waters of
based management plans. The DLNR–DAR Papahānaumokuākea were one of the
administrator, program managers and primary reasons for imposing a restrictive
biologists were interviewed to gather management system over the area. Coral
their insights regarding gaps in coral reef covers an area of 911,077 acres within the
conservation, emerging priorities and key boundaries of Papahānaumokuākea. Fifty-
management tasks necessary to improve seven species of stony corals have been
overall coral reef conservation in Hawai‘i. identified in the shallow subtropical waters
Similar questions were asked of members including seventeen species found only in the
of the CRWG, LAS Advisory Groups and Hawaiian Archipelago [Papahānaumokuākea
other key stakeholders. Draft priorities Marine National Monument Plan, 2008, 27].
were completed with an initial set of goals,
objectives and actions in 2008. Management of the PMNM is shared by
three trustees acting on behalf of the State
The process of refining and ranking goals and of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural
objectives for The Hawai‘i Coral Reef Strategy Resources, the U.S. Department of Interior
began in November 2008 and was guided by [through the Fish and Wildlife Service] and
the CRWG. DAR partnered with the NOAA the Department of Commerce (through
CRCP consultant and local NOAA staff to NOAA). Except for Midway, Laysan and Tern
4
Islands and French Frigate Shoals, the islands responsible for managing the biodiversity
of Papahānaumokuākea are uninhabited. of Hawaii’s lands and waters. HCA also
Access to PMNM and its resources is carefully represents people who work and use the land
regulated by the PMNM management staff and water for social, cultural and agricultural
and a rigorous permitting process. Activities purposes. The member organizations of
with potentially adverse impacts, such as HCA are at the forefront of research on
commercial fishing, are being phased out climate change impacts, the development
by 2011. As part of this process, co-trustee of management solutions that encompass
agencies and their staff were consulted to mitigation and adaptation, and effective
identify priority coral management objectives communications about climate change.
for the NWHI. As climate change is a threat to the entire
archipelago, it is anticipated that HCA will
Between 2000 and 2005, NOAA conducted become a strong partner in mitigating this
an extensive information-gathering threat to coral reefs. To do this, HCA and its
process, including over 100 meetings members will continue:
with jurisdictional agency partners, the
■ conducting critical research on
Reserve Advisory Council, NGOs, fishing
climate change impacts to natural
and other stakeholder groups with the
systems and native species;
aim of developing a range of alternatives
to create a National Marine Sanctuary ■ developing, implementing and
in the NWHI. When the Monument was sharing best management practices;
designated in June 2006, the proclamation
■ crafting policy recommendations for
instructed the co-trustees to use the draft
mitigation and adaptation strategies;
Sanctuary Management Plan as the basis
■ convening conferences, forums and
for the development of a comprehensive
other meetings to enable the sharing
Monument Management Plan. Additional
of knowledge and strategies by
public informational meetings on each island
experts from a variety of disciplines;
as well as a formal request for additional
input and public hearings on the draft ■ providing education and outreach to
Monument Management Plan provided residents and visitors about climate
significant opportunity for input into the change impacts on Hawaii’s lands,
develop of the final plan. Between 2000 and waters and native species;
2009, over 65,000 public comments were
■ coordinating between member
received, which provided the basis for the
organizations; and
final documents.
■ directing funding and other resources
to Hawai‘i.
hawai‘i coNservatioN alliaNce
H
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Also to be noted in this document are recent A
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efforts to address the current and future I’S
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impacts from global climate change by the ora
Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance (HCA). HCA l R
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is a collaboration of conservation leaders f M
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representing 15 state and federal agencies, a
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educational institutions and nonprofit m
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organizations. Collectively, HCA members are t P
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5
INTRODUCTION
this Priority setting document is divided into the following sections:
1
2
Context: This section describes the
Management Framework and Guiding
coral reef ecosystems of the Hawaiian
Principles: This section describes the
archipelago and the threats they face.
colllaborative conservation approach
suggested for managing reefs in the
archipelago. It also identifies a core set
of principles to serve as the foundation
for how work will be conducted to
3
address the primary threats to coral reefs
in Hawai‘i.
Ten Year Priority Goals and Objectives:
This section presents the entire
framework of goals and objectives
developed and agreed upon by the core
group during this process. The Priority
Goals and Objectives are highlighted in
this section. These are the top priorities
for management action as agreed upon 5
4
by the core managers group.
Priority Site Selection Process Relationship Between Hawaii’s Reef
and Next Steps: This section lists Management Priorities and Those
priority sites for application of the of the NOAA CRCP: This section
Priority Goals and Objectives. It also describes how the local jurisdiction
describes the process by which the management priorities align with
sites were determined. NOAA CRCP's priorities and direction
forward.

6
SECTION ONE:
CONTEXT
coral reef ecosysteM Notwithstanding these changes, reefs
remain extremely important as habitats,
natural buffers, sites for recreation and
As one of the most isolated archipelagos
cultural practices and as a key component
on earth, Hawai‘i has estimated rates of
of the marine economy. In addition to
endemism of 25% or greater for most coral,
providing protection from large ocean swells
fish, and invertebrate species. This unique
and providing food for sustenance and
marine life is found nowhere else in the world
commerce, it is estimated that the state’s
(DLNR–DAR 2005). This isolated island chain
coral reefs generate approximately $800
consists of two regions, the Main Hawaiian
million annually in added value to the state’s
islands (MHI) and the Northwestern Hawaiian
economy from marine tourism (Friedlander et
Islands (NWHI). The MHI, where the state’s 1.3
al., 2008). Reef species also provide medical
million residents live, consists of high volcanic
benefits, including the development of new
islands with nonstructural reef communities
medicines—some of which are applied to
and fringing reefs abutting the shore.
the treatment of HIV, cancer, ulcers and
In contrast, the NWHI consists of mostly
cardiovascular diseases. Hawaii’s physical
uninhabited atolls, islands, and banks that
setting and extensive marine science research
span over 2,000 kilometers (km) northwest of
facilities have made the state a significant
the MHI (Friedlander et al., 2005a).
player in the marine biotechnology industry.
Historically, coral reefs played an important
role in Hawaiian culture and subsistence threats to MariNe resources
agriculture (Friedlander et al., 2008). Native
Hawaiians had intimate knowledge of their
Hawaii’s coral reef and coastal ecosystems
ocean resources and employed a system to
reflect a wide variety of habitats as described
manage resources in ways that reduced waste
above. In the Main Hawaiian Islands these
and ensured long-term use. Some of these
habitats are impacted by a combination
methods included the “kapu” system in which
of natural- and human-induced events.
the chiefs would decree an area off-limits to H
According to the Hawai‘i section of the Status A
regulate fishing during certain times (e.g., W
of the Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United A
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spawning season). Species restrictions were I
States (Friedlander et al., 2008), the condition ’S
also practiced (DLNR–DAR 2005). Over time, of marine resources has generally degraded Cora
these practices have eroded due to cultural, in the MHI over the past 20 years. This is not l Re
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political and demographic changes that the case for the more isolated and protected f M
a
have affected water rights, land use and land n
NWHI. While Hawaii’s reefs are still in fair a
g
e
ownership. These changes have disrupted m
to good condition, many urban areas and e
n
ecosystem functions and sustainable popular destinations have suffered from land- t P
mgeanneargaetimonesn (tF prireadcltaicnedse or v2e0r0 j4u)s. t a few breacsreeda tsioounracl eosv oefr upsoel launtido nin, vfiasshivineg s ppreecsiesus.r e , riorities
7
SECTION ONE: CONTEXT
Left Image: Sediment runoff along the Kahana coast of Maui threatens local reefs with the potential for partial burial in sediment and
the potential introduction of toxins and disease. Photo Credit: US EPA Right Image: Sediment from land-based sources of pollution
covers coral near the Kaunakakai wharf, HI. Photo Credit: Kathy Chaston, NOAA CRCP
laNd-Based sources of community structure in the MHI (Friedlander
et al., 2008). Although some major sources
PollutioN
of erosion have been removed or reduced
with the closure of several large mono-crop
Land-based sources of pollution are not a
plantations, recent years have seen damage
threat to the reefs of the NWHI. However,
to nearshore coral reefs due to coastal
Land-based sources of pollutants, such as
construction projects. Other significant
sediment, nutrients and other pollutants,
pollutants include pesticides, petroleum
represent one of several factors threatening
hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, heavy
the quality of coral reef ecosystems in the
metals, pathogens and excess nutrients.
MHI. These pollutants are transported in
These pollutants can cause or exacerbate
surface-water runoff and by groundwater
the deleterious effects of watershed
seepage into coastal waters. While the
transport of pollutant constituents onto
complex interrelationship between land-
coral reefs (Richmond, 1993).There are an
based sources of pollution, water quality,
estimated 100,000 cesspools in Hawai‘i,
overfishing and the health and integrity of
which contribute to nutrient and pathogen
coral reef ecosystems is not well understood,
runoff onto reefs. Excess nutrients, including
enough is known to require management
dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus from
policies that minimize polluted surface-water
sewage, wastewater and fertilizers, promote
runoff and prevent overfishing (Davidson et
the growth of algae that compete with
al., 2003).
juvenile and adult corals for space on benthic
reef surfaces and can affect success of
Sediment is probably the leading land-
coral settlement (Sammarco, 1996). Many
based pollutant causing alteration of reef
nearshore areas of Hawai‘i are comprised
8