III 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 544 

Celebrating June 11, 2018, as the 20th anniversary of the establishment 

of the United States Coral Reef Task Force. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 12, 2018 

Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. NELSON, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. 

MARKEY, and Mr. MERKLEY) submitted the following resolution; which 

was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Celebrating June 11, 2018, as the 20th anniversary of the 

establishment of the United States Coral Reef Task Force. 

Whereas 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Coral Reef Task Force; 

Whereas the United States Coral Reef Task Force— 

(1) was established under Executive Order 13089 

(63 Fed. Reg. 32701; relating to coral reef protection) on 

June 11, 1998, ‘‘to preserve and protect the biodiversity, 

health, heritage, and social and economic value of U.S. 

coral reef ecosystems and the marine environment’’; 

(2) is composed of 12 Federal agencies, 7 States 

and territories of the United States, the Republic of the 

Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, 

and the Republic of Palau; and 


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•SRES 544 ATS 

(3) helps build partnerships, develop strategies, and 

provide support to carry out on-the-ground actions to 

conserve coral reefs; 

Whereas more than 50 percent of all species in federally 

managed fisheries depend on coral reefs at some stage 

during their life cycles; 

Whereas healthy coral reef ecosystems are havens for biological diversity and abundance, providing important habitats, spawning areas, and nursery grounds for fish, crustaceans, algae, and other species; 

Whereas, in November 2016, the International Coral Reef 

Initiative— 

(1) declared 2018 as the International Year of the 

Reef for the third time; and 

(2) encouraged— 

(A) strengthening awareness globally about the 

value of, and threats to, coral reefs and associated 

ecosystems; 

(B) promoting partnerships between governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society 

on the management of coral reefs; 

(C) identifying and implementing effective management strategies for conservation, increased resiliency, and sustainable use of coral reefs and associated ecosystems; and 

(D) promoting and sharing information on best 

practices relating to sustainable coral reef management strategies; 

Whereas coral reefs— 

(1) directly benefit the economy of the United States 

by supporting coastal tourism, fisheries, biomedicine development, and traditional and cultural uses; and 


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•SRES 544 ATS 

(2) provide an indirect economic benefit in the form 

of shoreline protection from high seas and severe storm 

surge from hurricanes and tsunamis; 

Whereas coral reefs face ongoing threats from changing 

ocean conditions, nutrient pollution from coastal runoff, 

invasive species, recurring disease outbreaks and bleaching events, and poor coastal resource management; 

Whereas approximately 1⁄3 of the coral reefs in the world are 

degraded, and another 1⁄3 of coral reefs are at risk of further degradation in the next few decades without effective 

management and restoration; and 

Whereas the conservation and restoration of healthy, fully 

functioning coral reefs helps to sustain resilient coasts 

and vibrant economies by providing food, promoting cultural values, supporting livelihoods, and protecting 

human health and safety and coastal properties: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate celebrates June 11, 2018, 

2 as the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the United 

3 States Coral Reef Task Force in order to— 

4 (1) highlight the importance of the coral reefs 

5 of the United States; 

6 (2) acknowledge the important research and 

7 management accomplishments of the United States 

8 Coral Reef Task Force; and 


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1 (3) encourage a continued focus on efforts to 

2 protect and restore coral reef ecosystems of the 

3 United States. 

Æ 


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