Also co-chairing the meeting will be Dr. D. James Baker , Under Secretary of Commerce and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . They are responsible for building and protecting the beautiful beaches that attract millions of tourists each year, sustaining fisheries and saving countless human lives and dollars by protecting the islands from catastrophic hurricane damage. The order directs all federal agencies to protect coral reef ecosystems to the extent feasible and tells agencies to come up with coordinated, science-based plans to restore damaged reefs, both in the United States and around the globe. Federal agencies work closely with representatives from territorial, commonwealth and state governments, recognizing that more than 90 percent of coral reef resources under U.S. protection are located in their waters. Other members of the Task Force include researchers, commercial interests, and non-governmental organizations.
Coral reefs are the rain forests of the sea.
They are also the foundation of important tourism and fisheries economies. However, it is estimated that two-thirds of the world' s coral reefs are seriously threatened, and that is why this meeting and initiative are so important. This is the third meeting of the Coral Reef Task Force. The MOU involves the establishment of a marine research and education laboratory in St. Croix with a consortium of universities. All activities are open to the media.