STAGHORN STATUS:

TOWN OF PALM BEACH

CORAL WAR
UPDATE

The Town of Palm Beach has filed several objections with NOAA National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) to exclude the reefs offshore of their town from the
protections afforded by federal critical habitat designation for ESA listed Staghorn
Coral. All of the remaining coast of southeast Florida, south of the Boynton Beach
Inlet from 6 to 98 feet deep has been designated by the Fed’s as habitat critical to
the survival of the species. Palm Beach claims the coral protections will interfere
with their beach renourishment plans.

After local divers discovered the largest stand of Staghorn Coral in Palm Beach
County, growing offshore of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-lago estate, the Palm Beach
Town Council agreed to withdraw their objection for some of the area (although
there is no evidence the town ever communicated this to NOAA/NMFS).

The Town of Palm Beach agreed to back down on their opposition to protection
for Bath & Tennis Reef and the barrier reef (Breakers Deep) for two miles north.
An additional 4 miles of offshore reefline will go unprotected if NMFS were to
accept the town’s position. Also off the table, if the Town of Palm Beach gets their
way, is federal protection for all inshore habitat including Breakers Shallow Reef,
which according to a Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission press release is: “…a
popular local dive and snorkel spot, approximately one-half mile directly offshore
of the Breakers Hotel on Palm Beach. This diverse shallow reef is home to
sponges, hard corals and abundant marine life, including protected species.”

So far divers and coral reef advocates from around the world have sent nearly
1,100 emails to the Town of Palm Beach asking them to withdraw their objections
to the critical habitat protections. Some from as far away as Australia, many
promising a boycott of Palm Beach hotels, restaurants and businesses.

NMFS is in the process of reviewing the Reef Rescue petition to include all of the
Town of Palm Beach waters into the federal critical habitat designated area. Their
decision is expected by January 6, 2010.

The Town of Palm Beach remains the only municipality in Florida

objecting to federal staghorn habitat protection.

Stay up to date with this and other reef related issues at: Palm Beach County
Reef Rescue’s Coral Reef Blog.
Follow the links at www.reef-rescue.org

______________________________________________________________________________
Palm Beach County Reef Rescue is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization dedicated
to protecting south Florida’s reefs through research, education and public awareness.