Oceana’s efforts to protect deep-sea coral in the United States

Abstract

As awareness of deep-sea corals increases, global efforts to conserve them are increasing as well. Oceana, a non-governmental conservation organization that merged with the American Oceans Campaign in 2002, is focusing significant attention and resources on the conservation of deep-sea coral communities in United States’ waters. Oceana is carrying out a number of activities as part of its deep-sea coral campaign. These include: • Working to pass legislation that would ban the use of particularly destructive bottom trawls in all U.S. waters in collaboration with the Marine Conservation Biology Institute; • Working to pass legislation that would specifically protect known deep-sea coral and sponge areas and establish a process for future protections; • Working to protect deep-sea coral and sponge habitats in the U.S. through the regional fishery management councils; • Developing educational materials for decision-makers, the media, and the general public; • Developing a petition to achieve threatened or endangered species status for Oculina varicosa.