Duval Times

This week, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio and members of the Florida delegation in sending a letter to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Richard Spinrad. The letter urges Spinrad to finalize the implementation of emergency provisions from the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act. Enacted into law in 2022, this act provides NOAA with tools needed to respond to coral reef health emergencies.

Last summer, corals in the Florida Reef Tract experienced severe heat stress and bleaching. With anomalous ocean temperatures possibly causing similar impacts this summer, federal authorities have the power to respond under emergency provisions of the Coral Reef Conservation Act (CRCA).

Joining Senators Scott and Rubio were Representatives Dan Soto, Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Bill Posey (R-FL), Carlos Giménez (R-FL), Mike Waltz (R-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), and Kathy Castor (D-FL).

The members wrote, “Last summer, the Florida Reef Tract suffered from a severe marine heatwave leading to coral bleaching, further stressing this crucial ecological resource which has already been in decline for decades."

They continued, “Florida’s coral barrier reef is an irreplaceable resource which must be preserved and protected. We ask that you be prepared to use the resources and authorities available to you should exigent circumstances arise.”

In their letter, they requested an update on the status of the emergency provisions of CRCA as amended by the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act. They urged Administrator Spinrad to finalize such implementation before any potential coral health emergencies this summer.

The Florida Reef Tract is recognized as the third-largest coral barrier reef globally. It offers critical ecological, economic, and ecosystem service benefits to South Florida. The reef supports biologically diverse wildlife including endangered species, contributes significantly to Florida’s tourism economy, and serves as a natural defense against hurricanes and storm surge.

“Marine temperatures in the Florida Reef Tract are already anomalously high,” noted the members. They emphasized that a marine heatwave similar to last summer's could harm corals again this year.

The Restoring Resilient Reefs Act reauthorized and reformed CRCA for the first time in nearly twenty years. Sections 209 and 210 of CRCA authorize mobilization of federal resources and private donations through coordination with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) on an emergency basis.

“Should an emergency in health of the Florida Reef Tract occur this summer,” they stated, “we expect you will use available funds to implement these emergency response capabilities in an expedited manner.”

Additionally, they urged consultation with NFWF to identify other existing funds that could support coral restoration practitioners within the National Ocean and Coastal Security Fund (NOCSF).

“We are appreciative of you and NFWF for making such funds from NOCSF available last summer,” they added.

The letter concluded with a reiteration: “Florida’s coral barrier reef is an irreplaceable resource which must be preserved and protected.”

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