Highlights from the 50^th U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Takeaway: NOAA and DOI co-chaired the 50^th meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, the organization that leads U.S. efforts to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems throughout the nation. The public business meeting was held at the Department of the Interior's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

In May 2025, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) held its milestone 50^th meeting at the U.S. Department of the Interior Building in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force was initially established in 1998 by a Presidential Executive Order (E.O. #13089) and codified into law in 2022, with the purpose of preserving and protecting the nation's valuable coral reef ecosystems. The USCRTF meets in person twice a year— once in Washington, D.C. in the spring and once in one of the seven U.S. coral reef jurisdictions in the fall. These in-person meetings provide a critical forum for collaboration on important coral reef-related issues and bring together representatives from fourteen federal agencies, U.S. states and coral reef jurisdictions, four Fishery Management Councils, and the three Freely Associated States.

USCRTF Working Groups, including the Restoration, Watershed, Communications, and Enforcement Working Groups, met in person to discuss and share project outcomes relating to critical issues surrounding U.S. coral reefs. For the first time ever, an Environmental Compliance Workshop was hosted to help states and jurisdictions navigate their project proposals and environmental compliance processes. To celebrate the 50^th anniversary, the USCRTF partnered with National Geographic to showcase their new Pristine Seas film highlighting the stunning reefs in the Bikar and Bokak atolls of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Task Force was lucky enough to have a representative from the Marshall Islands Marine Resource Authority (MIMRA), Benedict Yamamura, present at this meeting in-person to share a few words about MIMRA's approach to marine conservation and the importance of coral reefs to the Marshall Islands' economy and livelihoods.

The week culminated in an eventful public Business Meeting on Thursday, May 15^th. The meeting kicked off with a welcome from William Hague, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs for the U.S. Department of the Interior, and was followed by opening remarks by NOAA co-chair Nicole R. LeBoeuf (NOAA National Ocean Service Assistant Administrator) and U.S. DOI co-chair Angel A. Demapan (Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs). Notable highlights from the Business Meeting included a 'Bright Spots' presentation from select members of the All Islands Committee, a diverse and educational panel titled Coral Reefs: Protecting Communities, Infrastructure, and Economies, an update from a few of the National Coral Reef Management Fellows, and a panel on The Importance of Coral Reefs and Marine Biosecurity to National Security. Additional expert presentations covered topics like Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and the Economy by Tom Frazer (Gulf Fisheries Management Council) as well as a bleaching update from Derek Manzello (Coordinator of NOAA Coral Reef Watch).

The 50^th meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force concluded with a preview of an update on the 51^st USCRTF meeting, which will be held in Puerto Rico in November 2025, a group picture, and a closing rooftop reception overlooking Washington D.C.

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