CoralPetition03-02Final

P

ETITION

T

O

L

IST

A

CROPORA

P

ALMATA

(E

LKHORN

C

ORAL

),A

CROPORA

C

ERVICORNIS

(S

TAGHORN

C

ORAL

), A

ND

A

CROPORA

P

ROLIFERA

(F

USED

-S

TAGHORN

C

ORAL

) A

S

E

NDANGERED

S

PECIES

U

NDER

T

HE

E

NDANGERED

S

PECIES

A

CT

A. palmata

(foreground left) &

A. cervicornis

(background) at Andros Island, Bahamas [Sean Nash]

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

PetitionerMarch 3, 2004

i

NOTICE OF PETITION

Center for Biological Diversity370 Grand Ave. Suite 5Oakland, CA 94610(510) 663-0616Contact: Brent Plater Petitioner Center for Biological Diversity (“CBD”) formally requests that the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Office (NOAA Fisheries) list

Acropora palmata

(Elkhorn Coral),

Acropora cervicornis

(Staghorn Coral), and

Acropora prolifera

(Fused-Staghorn Coral) as endangered species under the federalEndangered Species Act.

1

In the alternative, petitioner formally requests that NOAAFisheries list

Acropora palmata

,

Acropora cervicornis

, and

Acropora prolifera

asthreatened species under the ESA. In either case, CBD requests that critical habitat bedesignated concurrent with the listing designation.Existing measures already in place for protecting these species are both insufficient andineffective in curbing the dramatic and disturbing losses documented herein. This petition discusses the factors contributing to the decline of these species. It also reviewsthe taxonomy, biology, and natural history of these coral species, as well as the factors NOAA Fisheries must consider in making a listing determination and designating criticalhabitat.This petition is filed under § 553(e) of the Administrative Procedure Act,

2

§ 1533(b)(3)of the ESA, and 50 C.F.R. § 424.14(b). Because

Acropora

is classified in the order Scleractinia, NOAA Fisheries has jurisdiction over this petition.

3

This petition sets inmotion a specific administrative process as defined by § 1533(b)(3) and 50 C.F.R. §424.14(b), placing mandatory response requirements on NOAA Fisheries.The Center for Biological Diversity is a non-profit environmental organization dedicatedto protecting endangered species and wild places through science, policy, education, andenvironmental law. CBD submits this petition on its own behalf and on behalf of itsmembers and staff, with an interest in protecting these coral species and their habitat.

1

16 U.S.C. §§1531-1544 [hereinafter ESA].

2

5 U.S.C. §§551-559 [hereinafter APA].

3

Memorandum of Understanding between the USFWS & NMFS Regarding Jurisdictional Responsibilitiesand Listing Procedures under the ESA (1974).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Notice of Petition...............................................................................................iTable of Contents .............................................................................................iiExecutive Summary..........................................................................................1Natural History.................................................................................................4Description ...................................................................................................4Taxonomy ....................................................................................................7Historic Distribution........................................................................................9Habitat.......................................................................................................10Species Importance......................................................................................10Ecological Importance................................................................................11Economic Importance................................................................................14Medical Importance...................................................................................14Behavior.....................................................................................................15Reproduction............................................................................................15Growth....................................................................................................16Feeding ...................................................................................................17Status and Change in Distribution.....................................................................19Overall Losses.............................................................................................19United States and its Territories.....................................................................20Florida.....................................................................................................20Biscayne National Park............................................................................21Florida Keys ..........................................................................................21Dry Tortugas .........................................................................................23Navassa Island Wildlife Refuge....................................................................24Puerto Rico ..............................................................................................25

U.S. Virgin Islands....................................................................................26St. Croix...............................................................................................27St. John................................................................................................27St. Thomas............................................................................................27Other Countries...........................................................................................28Central and South America.........................................................................28Belize...................................................................................................29Colombia ..............................................................................................29Costa Rica.............................................................................................29Guatemala ............................................................................................30Honduras..............................................................................................30Mexico..................................................................................................30Nicaragua .............................................................................................31Panama ................................................................................................31Venezuela.............................................................................................32Islands of the wider Caribbean Sea..............................................................33Anguilla ................................................................................................33Antigua and Barbuda ..............................................................................33Bahamas...............................................................................................33Barbados ..............................................................................................35British Virgin Islands...............................................................................35Cayman Islands .....................................................................................36Cuba ....................................................................................................37Dominica ..............................................................................................38