Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series NMSP-06-09

U.S. Department of Commerce 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

National Ocean Service 

Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management 

M/V JACQUELYN L

Coral Reef Restoration Monitoring Report 

Monitoring Events 2004-2005 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 

Monroe County, Florida

National Marine Sanctuary Program October 2006 
About the Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration administers the National Marine 

Sanctuary Program. Its mission is to identify, designate, protect and manage the 

ecological, recreational, research, educational, historical, and aesthetic resources and 

qualities of nationally significant coastal and marine areas. The existing marine 

sanctuaries differ widely in their natural and historical resources and include nearshore 

and open ocean areas ranging in size from less than one to over 5,000 square miles. 

Protected habitats include rocky coasts, kelp forests, coral reefs, sea grass beds, 

estuarine habitats, hard and soft bottom habitats, segments of whale migration routes, 

and shipwrecks. 

Because of considerable differences in settings, resources, and threats, each marine 

sanctuary has a tailored management plan. Conservation, education, research, 

monitoring and enforcement programs vary accordingly. The integration of these 

programs is fundamental to marine protected area management. The Marine 

Sanctuaries Conservation Series reflects and supports this integration by providing a 

forum for publication and discussion of the complex issues currently facing the National 

Marine Sanctuary Program. Topics of published reports vary substantially and may 

include descriptions of educational programs, discussions on resource management 

issues, and results of scientific research and monitoring projects. The series facilitates 

integration of natural sciences, socioeconomic and cultural sciences, education, and 

policy development to accomplish the diverse needs of NOAA’s resource protection 

mandate. 
M/V JACQUELYN L 

Coral Reef Restoration Monitoring Report 

Monitoring Events 2004-2005 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 

Monroe County, Florida 

Erik C. Franklin 

J. Harold Hudson 

Jeff Anderson 

Joe Schittone 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 

National Marine Sanctuaries Program, National Ocean Service 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. (USN-ret.) 

Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere 

National Ocean Service 

John H. Dunnigan, Assistant Administrator 

Silver Spring, Maryland National Marine Sanctuary Program 

October 2006 Daniel J. Basta, Director 
DISCLAIMER 

The mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or 

recommendation for use. 

REPORT AVAILABILITY 

Electronic copies of this report may be downloaded from the National Marine Sanctuaries 

Program web site at http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/. Hard copies may be available 

from the following address: 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

 National Marine Sanctuary Program

 SSMC4, N/ORM62 

 1305 East-West Highway 

 Silver Spring, MD 20910 

COVER 

Acropora palmata colonies on Western Sambo Reef near the M/V Jacquelyn L

restoration site, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo credit: Jeff Anderson. 

SUGGESTED CITATION

Franklin, E.C., Hudson, J.H., Anderson, J., Schittone, J. 2006. M/V Jacquelyn L Coral 

Reef Restoration Monitoring Report, Monitoring Events 2004-2005. Florida Keys 

National Marine Sanctuary Monroe County, Florida. Marine Sanctuaries Conservation 

Series NMSP-06-09. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, National Marine Sanctuary Program, Silver Spring, MD. 21 pp. 

CONTACT 

Joe Schittone, corresponding author, at: Joe.Schittone@noaa.gov 
ABSTRACT 

This document presents the results of the monitoring of a repaired coral reef injured by 

the M/V Jacquelyn L vessel grounding incident of July 7, 1991. This grounding occurred 

in Florida state waters within the boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine 

Sanctuary (FKNMS). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 

and the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida, 

(“State of Florida” or “state”) are the co-trustees for the natural resources within the 

FKNMS and, thus, are responsible for mediating the restoration of the damaged marine 

resources and monitoring the outcome of the restoration actions. The restoration 

monitoring program tracks patterns of biological recovery, determines the success of 

restoration measures, and assesses the resiliency to environmental and anthropogenic 

disturbances of the site over time. 

 

The monitoring program at the Jacquelyn L site was to have included an assessment of 

the structural stability of installed restoration modules and biological condition of 

reattached corals performed on the following schedule: immediately (i.e., baseline), 1, 3, 

and 6 years after restoration and following a catastrophic event. Restoration of this site 

was completed on July 20, 2000. Due to unavoidable delays in the settlement of the case, 

the “baseline” monitoring event for this site occurred in July 2004. The catastrophic 

monitoring event occurred on August 31, 2004, some 2 1⁄2 weeks after the passage of 

Hurricane Charley which passed nearby, almost directly over the Dry Tortugas. In 

September 2005, the year one monitoring event occurred shortly after the passage of 

Hurricane Katrina, some 70 km to the NW. This report presents the results of all three 

monitoring events. 

KEY WORDS 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, coral, grounding, restoration, monitoring, 

Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Katrina, Acropora palmata

i 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Topic Page

Abstract and Key Words......................................................................................... i

List of Figures and Tables....................................................................................... iii

Acknowledgements................................................................................................. iv

Introduction............................................................................................................. 1 

Damage Assessment ....................................................................................... 2 

Coral Reef Restoration.................................................................................... 4 

Restoration Monitoring................................................................................... 6

Methodology........................................................................................................... 7 

Field Methods ................................................................................................. 7 

Photo Analysis................................................................................................ 8 

Data Analysis.................................................................................................. 8

Results..................................................................................................................... 8 

Baseline Monitoring Event ................................................................................. 8 

Structural Integrity.......................................................................................... 8 

Biological Condition....................................................................................... 9 

Post-Catastrophic Monitoring Event................................................................... 11 

Structural Integrity.......................................................................................... 11 

Biological Condition....................................................................................... 11 

Year One Monitoring Event................................................................................ 11

Summary................................................................................................................. 12

Literature Cited ....................................................................................................... 14

Appendices.............................................................................................................. 15

ii 
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES 

Table Number and Title Page

Table 1. Event timeline for the M/V Jacquelyn L grounding site restoration. ...... 1

Table 2. Summary of live coral damage along the grounding track of the 

Jacquelyn L (see Figure 2. for location of damage sites; from 

Hudson 1991)........................................................................................... 4

Table 3. Baseline monitoring event—observed physical and biological 

characteristics of reattached coral colonies at Jacquelyn L site............... 9

Figure Number and Title Page

Figure 1. Approximate location (shown on NOAA Chart 11442) that the M/V 

Jacquelyn L ran aground on the reef crest of Western Sambo Reef on 

July 7, 1991. ........................................................................................... 2

Figure 2. Diagram of the M/V Jacquelyn L grounding track and damaged areas of 

Western Sambo Reef. ............................................................................. 3

Figure 3. Location of reattached and transplanted Acropora palmata colonies at 

the Jacquelyn L grounding site............................................................... 5

Figure 4. Baseline monitoring event—Sample observations with means (solid, 

dark symbols) of coral cover (%) recorded from the restored area and the 

reference area of the Jacquelyn L grounding site (n=20 for each). [Note: 

In the reference area, %=0 for seven of the observations.].................... 10

Figure 5. Baseline monitoring event—urchin density at restored and reference 

sites......................................................................................................... 10

Figure 6. Comparison of Pre (July)- and Post (Aug.)-hurricane Charley % coral 

cover of restored and reference areas (n=20 for all data points). ........... 12 

iii 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA) and the Board of 

Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund 

of the State of Florida, (“State of Florida” or 

“state”) are the co-trustees for the natural 

resources within the FKNMS and, thus, are 

responsible for mediating the restoration of the 

damaged marine resources and monitoring the 

outcome of the restoration actions. The authors 

would like to express their appreciation to all 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

employees who participated in the initial 

response, damage assessment, restoration, and 

case settlement associated with this vessel 

grounding. 

iv 
INTRODUCTION 

This document presents the results of baseline monitoring of a repaired coral reef injured by the 

M/V Jacquelyn L vessel grounding incident of July 7, 1991. This grounding occurred in Florida 

state waters within the boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Board of Trustees of 

the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida, (“State of Florida” or “state”) are 

the co-trustees for the natural resources within the FKNMS and, thus, are responsible for 

mediating the restoration of the damaged marine resources and monitoring the outcome of the 

restoration actions. The restoration monitoring program tracks patterns of biological recovery, 

determines the success of restoration measures, and assesses the resiliency to environmental and 

anthropogenic disturbances of the site over time. To evaluate restoration success, reference 

habitats adjacent to the restoration site are concurrently monitored to compare the condition of 

restored reef areas with “natural” coral reef areas unimpacted by the vessel grounding. 

The monitoring program at the Jacquelyn L site included an assessment of the structural stability 

of installed restoration modules and biological condition of reattached corals, which was to have 

performed on the following schedule: immediately (i.e., baseline), 1, 3, and 6 years after 

restoration and following a catastrophic event (Table 1). Restoration of this site was completed 

on July 20, 2000. Due to unavoidable delays in the settlement of the case, the “baseline” 

monitoring event for this site occurred in 2004. Hurricane Charley (August 2004) passed almost 

directly over the Dry Tortugas triggered the post-catastrophic monitoring event, which occurred 

on August 31, 2004. The year one monitoring event was to have taken place in the summer of 

2005. In the early summer of that year, Hurricanes Dennis and Katrina, the later of which passed 

the site about 60 km to the NW, transpired before a monitoring effort at the site could be 

mounted. However, the site was visited shortly after the passage of Hurricane Katrina, in midSeptember 2005. At that time the site was found to be nearly obliterated, with essentially no 

coral colonies, or even fragments of same, remaining. Since there was nothing left to monitor, 

no quantitative data from the event was collected. Needless to say, the scheduled Year Three 

and Year Six monitoring events will no longer take place. 

Table 1. Event timeline for the M/V Jacquelyn L grounding site restoration.

Event Date 

Vessel Grounding July 7, 1991 

Assessment: Initial July 9, 1991 

Restoration: Uprighted overturned corals July 11, 1991 

Restoration June 20-July 20, 2000 

Baseline Monitoring July 13-14, 2004 

Post-catastrophic Monitoring August 31, 2004 

Year One Monitoring September 13,2005 

1
Damage Assessment 

[Note: The information in this section was adapted from the Discussion section of the Jacquelyn 

L Vessel Grounding Assessment prepared by J. Harold Hudson] 

The Jacquelyn L, a 16.5 m motor vessel, struck and damaged the shallow reef crest at Western 

Sambo reef, located south of Boca Chica Key on July 7, 1991 (Figure 1). The predominant coral 

species observed within the injured area was the elkhorn coral Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 

1816). Other coral species present included mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides), lettuce coral 

(Agaricia agaricites), brain coral (Diploria strigosa), fire coral (Millepora complanata), golfball 

coral (Favia fragum) and starlet coral (Siderastrea siderea). Other living components of the 

injured area included crustaceans, macroalgae, sponges, echinoderms, mollusks, octocorals and 

fish. 

M/V Jacquelyn L grounding site

Figure 1. Approximate location (shown on NOAA Chart 11442) that the M/V Jacquelyn L ran 

aground on the reef crest of Western Sambo Reef on July 7, 1991.

The most prominent feature of the injury site consisted of a wide grounding track plowed 

through Acropora palmata thickets. The grounding track was 107.5 m long on a heading of 69°. 

During removal, the vessel was extracted along a heading of 264° (Figure 2). The grounding 

damaged 23 sites along the inbound path (Table 2). The area of damaged reef framework from 

the inbound path, resting place, and outbound path was 73 m2. The area of injured corals was 

123.8125 m2

, predominately the Acropora palmata. Finally, the total injury area of reef 

framework and corals was 196.81 m2

). 

2
Figure 2. Diagram of the M/V Jacquelyn L grounding track and damaged areas of Western 

Sambo Reef. 

3
Table 2. Summary of live coral damage along the grounding track of the Jacquelyn L (see Figure 

2. for location of damage sites; from Hudson 1991). 

Site # Coral Species 

Damage 

(Total/Partial) 

Coral Cover 

(%) 

Area 

(m2

) 

1 Millepora complanata Total 100 % .2500

2 Acropora palmata Total 100 % .2500

3 A. palmata Total 100 % 1.0000

4 A. palmata Total 100 % .5000

5 A. palmata Partial 100 % .5000

6 A. palmata Total 100 % 2.0000

7 A. palmata Total 100 % 1.0000

8 A. palmata Total 100 % 1.0000

9 A. palmata Total 100 % .2500

10 A. palmata Total 100 % .2500

11 A. palmata Total 100 % .2500

12 A. palmata Total 100 % .2500

13 Diploria strigosa Total 100 % .1250

14-A A. palmata Total 100 % 2.0000

14-B Gorgonia ventalina Total 100 % .1250

15 A. palmata Total 100 % 1.5000

16 Siderastrea siderea Total 100 % .7500

17 A. palmata Total 100 % 3.0000

18-A A. palmata Total 100 % 13.7500

18-B M. complanata Total 100 % 1.0000

19 A. palmata Total 100 % 14.2000

20-A A. palmata Total 100 % 79.8000

20-B Porites astreoides Total 100 % .0625

Total 123.8215

Coral Reef Restoration 

The objectives of the M/V Jacquelyn L site restoration were to 1) salvage and reattach dislodged 

Acropora palmata fragments and 2) transplant Acropora palmata colonies from outside the 

grounding site to the final resting place of the vessel (see Damage Site #20 in Figure 2). To 

accomplish these objectives, seventy-seven Acropora palmata colonies and five “coral rosettes” 

of A. palmata were transplanted and reattached to the vessel’s resting place (Figure 3). Coral 

colony size was not recorded during restoration. Coral rosettes were colonies affixed to concrete 

pavers which were cemented to the substrate. The remainder of the colonies were affixed to the 

substrate with Portland Type II cement grout. Locations for colony reattachment were 

determined haphazardly by FKNMS staff during the restoration efforts. 

4
Figure 3. Location of reattached and transplanted Acropora palmata colonies at the Jacquelyn L

grounding site. 

5
Project oversight was provided by Harold Hudson, FKNMS, with the restoration performed by 

FKNMS and NOAA staff. Field operations during the habitat restoration were conducted using 

a 9-m (30-ft) Gulfstream® vessel with sufficient deck space to allow transport of reef 

replacement modules and to accommodate SCUBA and construction equipment. A 6.4-m (21-ft) 

Carolina Skiff® with minimal draft was used during specialized vessel operations along the 

impact track. On-board navigation during transit to and from the project site was achieved using 

a Garmin differential global positioning system (DGPS). 

Restoration Monitoring 

The purpose of the coral restoration monitoring program is to evaluate the success of trustee 

actions in achieving restoration goals and to determine if remedial measures are needed. For a 

grounding site such as the M/V Jacquelyn L, the evaluation of restoration efforts involves the 

identification of appropriate success criteria and the design and implementation of a sampling 

and analysis plan. A list of success criteria measures for structural and functional aspects of 

coral reef restoration as well as a framework for monitoring activities is identified by NOAA 

(Thayer et al. 2003). 

The guiding hypotheses for the evaluation of the “restoration” site reflects the efficacy of the 

restoration techniques and the condition of the site relative to reference habitats. The monitoring 

program addresses if the chosen restoration methods are effective and when the site could be 

considered restored. The structural integrity of the restoration site is evaluated with the 

following questions: 

 

1. Are the attachments to the substrate of the reattached or transplanted Acropora palmata

colonies stable? 

2. Is there any visible physical damage to the reattached coral colonies? 

In addition, the biological condition of the restoration site was evaluated with the following 

questions: 

1. Is there live coral tissue on the colonies? 

2. Is there a difference in coral cover between the grounding site (i.e., both the restored and 

unrestored areas) and the reference area? 

The monitoring program was designed to detect significant changes in coral cover or damage to 

restoration components (structural enhancements, coral transplants, etc.) as a result of external 

events, such as major storms or vandalism, and in comparison to the surrounding habitat. In 

addition, the monitoring assessed the effectiveness of the restoration based upon technical 

evaluation of appropriate parameters. 

6
METHODOLOGY 

Field Methods 

On July 13-14, 2004, the Jacquelyn L restoration site was monitored using SCUBA from a small 

vessel (6.4 m). Use of the restoration site map (Figure 3) to identify individual reattached 

colonies was not possible because the stake at the southern end of the restoration transect was 

missing. Twenty-seven reattached Acropora palmata colonies were either located visually (as in 

the case of the rosettes) or by chipping at the colony base with a geological hammer to search for 

a cement attachment. Numbered identification tags (e.g., “J01” to “J27”) were attached to the 

base of the colonies with large zip-ties (see APPENDIX 1 for photos). Tactile and visual 

stability assessments were performed by attempting to displace twenty-five of the reattached 

coral colonies. In addition, the height, width, length, and percent live tissue of each of these 

colonies were recorded following the method of Rogers et al. (2004). To determine the 

biological condition of the site, in situ observations, digital images, and digital videos were 

recorded from 1 m2

 quadrats surveyed in the restoration area and the reference area. Due to the 

age of the grounding site, the boundary of the damaged, unrestored area was unidentifiable. The 

reference area was adjacent to the northwest side of the grounding path and similar in size and 

shape to the damaged area (i.e., approximately 197 m2). Within the reference area, twenty 1 m2

cells were randomly chosen from a digital grid of uniquely identified 1 m2 cells overlain on the 

grounding site map. In the field, transect lines were used from landmarks to determine cell 

locations as best as possible. Quadrats were deployed to these cells and visually surveyed for 

biological variables of interest. Quadrats were centered over the areas occupied by the located 

transplanted colonies. Within each quadrat, the percent coral cover and the presence of coral 

disease, coral bleaching, and damselfish were recorded. In addition, the number of sea urchins, 

corallivorous snails, and lobsters were also recorded in each quadrat. Planar digital photographs 

of quadrats were recorded when depth allowed, while oblique digital photographs were taken of 

each tagged A. palmata colony in the restored area. Underwater digital images were collected 

with an Olympus C-5050 digital camera in a Light & Motion Tetra 5050 underwater housing and 

digital videos were collected with a Sony DCR-DVD200 video camera in an Amphibico 

QuickView DVD underwater housing. 

 

On August 31, 2004, the post-catastrophic monitoring event (post Hurricane Charley) took place. 

The methodology was as related above. In mid-September 2005, what was to have been the 

Year One monitoring event occurred. However, as related above, this was shortly after the 

passage of Hurricanes Dennis and Katrina, both relatively near to the restoration site. One or the 

other, or a combination of both storms nearly obliterated the site, leaving no intact coral colonies, 

almost no standing coral, and very few coral fragments. Therefore, no quantitative data was 

collected, and it would no longer be appropriate to continue to monitor this site. 

7
Photo Analysis 

Digital images were edited with Adobe Photoshop version 7 (Adobe 2002). Image edits 

included color hue changes to make water look more blue, brightness changes to compensate for 

original exposure, and sharpness changes to enhance images not in focus. Planar images of 

quadrats were corrected using the Panorama Tools plug-in for Photoshop to correct for barrel 

distortion of the extreme wide angle image making it as close to square as possible. Finally, 

excess image information outside the quadrat boundary was cropped. 

Data Analysis 

Data analysis and visualization were performed on a Dell PC with Statistica version 6 (StatSoft 

2003) and Microsoft® Excel 2002 software. Basic descriptive statistics were generated for 

samples collected among the restoration and reference areas. 

RESULTS 

BASELINE MONITORING EVENT

Structural Integrity 

The baseline monitoring occurred in July 2004, at which time the stability of twenty five 

reattached/transplanted Acropora palmata colonies were found to be visually and tactically 

sound (Table 3). The colonies were found in place with a stable attachment to the substrate and 

no visible cracks in the cement grout surface. There was no noticeable physical damage to the 

reattached coral fragments although there were signs of past tissue loss (see photos in 

APPENDIX 1). 

8
Table 3. Baseline monitoring event—observed physical and biological characteristics of 

reattached coral colonies at Jacquelyn L site. 

A. palmata 

colony 

(#) 

Stable 

Attachment 

(Yes/No) 

Physical 

Damage 

(Yes/No) 

Coral 

Tissue 

(%) 

Max. 

Length 

(cm) 

Max. 

Width 

(cm) 

Max. 

Height 

(cm) 

1 Yes No 100 45 40 32 

2 Yes No 100 39 29 29 

3 Yes No 100 32 23 22 

4 Yes No 20 7 4 9 

5 Yes No 35 9 6 14 

6 Yes No 25 36 28 33 

7 Yes No 95 36 31 21 

8 Yes No 80 56 47 29 

9 Yes No 85 21 19 15 

10 Yes No 100 12 10 11 

11 Yes No 95 98 64 38 

12 Yes No 75 56 42 37 

13 Yes No 80 111 89 47 

14 Yes No 95 56 43 27 

15 Yes No 65 54 38 30 

16 Yes No 35 61 31 39 

17 Yes No 65 49 46 36 

18 Yes No 100 13 9 13 

19 Yes No 90 92 76 35 

20 Yes No 95 72 58 34 

21 Yes No 99 44 38 28 

22 Yes No 90 68 45 36 

23 Yes No 95 84 54 38 

24 Yes No 75 44 29 27 

25 Yes No 95 62 34 42 

Biological Condition 

The Jacquelyn L restoration site contained a matrix of solitary live Acropora palmata colonies, 

live A. palmata thickets, dead A. palmata skeletons, and reef rubble. Coral species observed 

within quadrats included Acropora palmata, Favia fragum, Millepora alcicornis, and Porites 

astreoides. Acropora palmata was the dominant coral species and represented 98% of the 

reported coral cover. Reflecting the habitat matrix of the reef flat, samples of coral cover within 

areas were heterogeneous; cover ranged from 4% to 49% in the restored area and from 0% to 

58% in the reference area. Mean coral cover was 29% in the restored area and 19% in the 

reference area (Figure 4). 

9
0

0 .5

1

1 .5

2

2 .5

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Coral cover (%)

Reference

Restored

Figure 4. Baseline monitoring event—Sample observations with means (solid, dark symbols) of 

coral cover (%) recorded from the restored area and the reference area of the Jacquelyn L

grounding site (n=20 for each). [Note: In the reference area, %=0 for seven of the observations.] 

The density of sea urchins was found to be greater in the restored area. In the restored area, sea 

urchin density was 0.1 urchins m-2, composed entirely of long-spined sea urchin (Diadema 

antillarum). In the reference area, only slate pencil sea urchins (Eucidaris tribuloides) were 

observed, with a density of 0.05 urchins m-2 (Figure 5). There were no lobsters or corallivorous 

snails (Coralliophila sp.) observed in any quadrats. 

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

Restored (n=20) Reference (n=20)

Urchin Density (# per m2

)

Figure 5. Baseline monitoring event—urchin density at restored and reference sites. 

10
The presence of damselfish and diseased or bleached corals were recorded among the two areas. 

Damselfish were observed among 25% of quadrats in the reference habitat while only present in 

10% of the restored area. White pox was observed on one colony, reattached Acropora palmata

colony #4. Coral “paling” was observed on several colonies. White band disease was not 

observed in either of the areas. 

POST-CATASTROPHIC MONITORING EVENT

Structural Integrity 

The majority of reattached/transplanted Acropora palmata colonies withstood the hurricane 

event. The bases of most colonies remained affixed to the substrate. However, as can be 

expected in a storm event, there was noticeable physical damage to some reattached coral 

colonies. The tips of some fragments appeared to have been recently broken and some tagged 

colonies were toppled (see photos in APPENDIX 2). At this monitoring event, 3 of the 27 

identification tags (see above, METHODOLOGY—Field Methods) and the colonies to which 

they were affixed, could no longer be located. 

Biological Condition 

At this monitoring event coral cover of the restored area declined from the 29% it had been one 

month before Hurricane Charley, to 20.5% (Figure 6). It should be noted that the majority of this 

coverage decline was due to the three missing colonies that had comprised part of the sampled 

area. In other words, for the coral colonies that remained affixed, although tissue damage and 

skeletal fragmentation were observed, the majority of colonies suffered either no or relatively 

minor injuries. Meanwhile, the reference area evidenced essentially no change from the baseline 

pre-Hurricane Charley monitoring event (July) to the immediately post-hurricane monitoring 

(August), even seeming to increase by 0.9% (though this is well within the standard error of the 

means of the sampling distribution; Figure 6). 

YEAR ONE MONITORING EVENT

As previously related, the Year One monitoring event was conducted on September 13, 2005. 

This was after the near passage of Hurricane Dennis in July, and Hurricane Katrina in August. 

The status of the site after the passage of one or the other (or possibly the combination of both) 

of these later hurricanes presented a much bleaker picture than was evidenced after Hurricane 

Charley the previous year. [Note: those familiar with the area will remember that Hurricanes 

Rita and Wilma also struck the vicinity in 2005; however, both these storms occurred after the 

Year One monitoring event in September.] 

11
15

20

25

30

35

July 04 Aug 04

coral 

cover 

(%) 

± SE

% cover restored area % cover reference area

Figure 6. Comparison of Pre (July)- and Post (Aug.)-hurricane Charley % coral cover of restored 

and reference areas (n=20 for all data points). 

After the passage of hurricanes Dennis and Katrina, the field monitoring team could barely 

locate the restoration site. Five of the 24 colonies which remained after Hurricane Charley of the 

previous year were identified. Those colonies remaining, while showing signs of positive tissue 

growth prior to the storms (see photos of Colony #7 in APPENDIX 3), suffered loss of both 

skeletal and tissue elements (see photos in APPENDIX 3). Destruction of the restored area can 

be directly traced to instability of the underlying substrate. Close inspection of the site revealed 

that instead of a well-cemented reef framework, the reef underpinning there was composed of 

loose Acropora palmata debris held in place by tightly-packed sediment. Washout of the 

stabilizing sediment by hurricane-driven waves allowed the massive sections of A. palmata

debris that the transplants were cemented on to be swept away. 

SUMMARY 

Baseline monitoring suggested that the reattachment of coral colonies with Portland cement 

grout was an effective restoration method for Acropora palmata thickets damaged at Western 

Sambo reef by the Jacquelyn L. Structural stability of the reattached colonies was generally 

excellent with no colonies showing physical damage (Table 3). Coral cover at the repaired 

grounding site was higher than the reference area (Figure 4). However, the close passage of 3 

powerful hurricanes over the course of the next two years alters this assessment. The restoration 

area has essentially been obliterated, and any further monitoring is not warranted. 

12
Comparison to the monitoring report regarding the M/V Connected site (q.v., in the Sanctuaries’ 

“Conservation Series”), which lies almost immediately adjacent to the Jacquelyn L site, should 

prove informative. Although the groundings at the two sites were separated by a decade, the 

restorations took place only a year apart (Jacquelyn L in July 2000; Connected in July 2001). 

Thus the sites had 3 & 4 years respectively to establish themselves before the passage of 

Hurricane Charley in 2004, and 4 & 5 years before Hurricanes Dennis and Katrina in 2005 (with 

the Jacquelyn L site having the extra year). The much greater success enjoyed by the Connected

restoration, in both years, provides much in the way of valuable information and “lessons 

learned” to the Damage Assessment & Restoration Team of the National Marine Sanctuary 

Program. 

13
14

LITERATURE CITED 

Adobe, Inc. 2002. Photoshop (image processing software), version 7. www.adobe.com. 

Hudson, J. H. 1991. Jacquelyn L vessel grounding assessment report. Confidential report 

prepared for NOAA General Counsel and FDEP Office of General Counsel. 3 pp. plus figures. 

Rogers C, Loomis C, Devine B. 2004. A new protocol for surveying elkhorn and staghorn coral. 

Reef Encounter 31:49-51. 

StatSoft, Inc. 2003. STATISTICA (data analysis software system), version 6. www.statsoft.com. 

Thayer, G. W. , T. A. McTigue, R. J. Bellmer, F. M. Burrows, D. H. Merkey, A. D. Nickens, S.J. 

Lozano, P. F. Gayaldo, P. J. Polmateer, and P. T. Pinit. 2003. Science-based restoration 

monitoring of coastal habitats, volume one: A framework for monitoring plans under the 

Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000 (Public Law 160-457). NOAA Coastal Ocean Program 

Decision Analysis Series No.23, Volume 1. NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, 

Silver Spring, MD. 35 pp. plus appendices. 

Zar, J. H. 1984. Biostatistical analysis. 2nd edition. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall 

International. 
15

APPENDIX 1 

Photographs of reattached/transplanted coral colonies at the M/V Jacquelyn L grounding site taken on 

July 14, 2004. 

Colony #1 Colony #2 

Colony #3 Colony #4 

Colony #6 Colony #5 
16

APPENDIX 1 (CONT.) 

Colony #7 Colony #8 

Colony #9 Colony #10 

Colony #11 Colony #12
17

APPENDIX 1 (CONT.) 

Colony #13 Colony #14 

Colony #16 Colony #15 

Colony #17 Colony #18
18

APPENDIX 1 (CONT.) 

Colony #19 Colony #20 

Colony #21 Colony #22 

Colony #23 Colony #24
19

APPENDIX 1 (CONT.) 

Colony #25 Colony #26 

Colony #27 
20

APPENDIX 2 

Photographs of toppled, tagged coral colonies at the M/V Jacquelyn L grounding site taken on 

August 31, 2004. 
APPENDIX 3 

Photographs of reattached/transplanted coral colonies and restoration area at the M/V Jacquelyn L

grounding site taken on September 13, 2005. 

Colony #3 Colony #7 

Colony #7 Colony #7 

Tie-wrap used to attach 

ID tag in July 2004. 

Restoration area

Colony #15 

21
NMSP CONSERVATION SERIES PUBLICATIONS 

To date, the following reports have been published in the Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series. All publications 

are available on the National Marine Sanctuary Program website (http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/). 

M/V WAVE WALKER Coral Reef Restoration Baseline Monitoring Report - 2004 Florida Keys National Marine 

Sanctuary Monroe County, Florida (NMSP-06-08) 

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Habitat Mapping: Survey report and classification of side scan sonar 

data from surveys HMPR-114-2004-02 and HMPR-116-2005-01 (NMSP-06-07) 

A Pilot Study of Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus Walbaum 1792) Movement in the Conch Reef Research 

Only Area (Northern Florida Keys) (NMSP-06-06) 

Comments on Hydrographic and Topographic LIDAR Acquisition and Merging with Multibeam Sounding Data 

Acquired in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (ONMS-06-05) 

Conservation Science in NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries: Description and Recent Accomplishments

(ONMS-06-04) 

Normalization and characterization of multibeam backscatter: Koitlah Point to Point of the Arches, Olympic 

Coast National Marine Sanctuary - Survey HMPR-115-2004-03 (ONMS-06-03) 

Developing Alternatives for Optimal Representation of Seafloor Habitats and Associated Communities in 

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (ONMS-06-02) 

Benthic Habitat Mapping in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (ONMS-06-01) 

Channel Islands Deep Water Monitoring Plan Development Workshop Report (ONMS-05-05) 

Movement of yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus Block 1790) and black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci 

Poey 1860) in the northern Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary as determined by acoustic telemetry

(MSD-05-4) 

The Impacts of Coastal Protection Structures in California's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

(MSD-05-3) 

An annotated bibliography of diet studies of fish of the southeast United States and Gray's Reef National 

Marine Sanctuary (MSD-05-2) 

Noise Levels and Sources in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and the St. Lawrence River 

Estuary (MSD-05-1) 

Biogeographic Analysis of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve (MSD-04-1) 

A Review of the Ecological Effectiveness of Subtidal Marine Reserves in Central California (MSD-04-2, 

MSD-04-3) 

Pre-Construction Coral Survey of the M/V Wellwood Grounding Site (MSD-03-1) 

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary: Proceedings of the 1998 Research Workshop, Seattle, 

Washington (MSD-01-04) 

Workshop on Marine Mammal Research & Monitoring in the National Marine Sanctuaries (MSD-01-03) 
A Review of Marine Zones in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MSD-01-2) 

Distribution and Sighting Frequency of Reef Fishes in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (MSD01-1) 

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary: A Rapid Assessment of Coral, Fish, and Algae Using the 

AGRRA Protocol (MSD-00-3) 

The Economic Contribution of Whalewatching to Regional Economies: Perspectives From Two National 

Marine Sanctuaries (MSD-00-2) 

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Area to be Avoided Education and Monitoring Program (MSD00-1) 

Multi-species and Multi-interest Management: an Ecosystem Approach to Market Squid (Loligo

opalescens) Harvest in California (MSD-99-1)