ReefRegulations

Laws and Regulations About Coral Reefs

Worldwide laws concerning coral reefs

• Wildlife Protection Act of 2010
  • The Wildlife Protection Act of 2010 refers to a package of legislation enforced by by the Government of India in 1972. This act established specific protected plants and animals, with hunting and collecting of these specific animals mainly outlawed. This act also provides protection of wild animals and plants. This act covers the whole of India, excluding the State of Jammu and Kashmir, both having their own wildlife acts. Schedule I and II of the act provide absolute protection of the species> Schedule III and IV provide penalties for those that break the act. Schedule VI prohibits cultivation and planting of wild species.
    • Hunting
      • Under the act, hunting of any wild animal specified by the specific schedules I, II, III, and IV are prohibited.
      • If the killing of a wounded animal is in good faith or in protection of oneself the person shall not be an offense.
      • If any animal is killed or wounded in defense of a person it shall become government property.
      • One is only allowed a permit to hunt or collect wildlife if it is for education, scientific research, or scientific management.
      • At any time, the Chief Wildlife Warden or the officer may revoke ones license if they deem it necessary.
    • Ownership
      • After this act was declared, every person having control, custody, or possession of any captive animal or plant must declare to the Chief Wildlife-Warden or the authorized officer the number and description of the animal or plant, and where they took possession of the animal or plant. If the Chief of Wildlife Warden sees fit, they may issue a certificate of ownership to said party that they deem is in lawful possession of the animal or plant in question.
    • Penalties
      • Penalties can be enforced by the Forest Department, the Police, the Central Bureau of Investigation, or customs. Any person that goes against these laws set forth may be convicted and punished to imprisonment for a term up to three years or a fine up to twenty-five thousand rupees. If the punisher sees it fit, they may be punished with both. If Scheduled I or Part 11 of Schedule 11 is broken, the person may be convicted up to six years in prison or five thousand rupees. Any person that breaks Chapter VA can be punished up to seven years in jail with a fine of five thousand rupees. Any person that breaks Section 38J of the act may be imprisoned up to six months with a two thousand rupee fine. The least substantial punishment is the revocation of ones license.
• Endangered Species Act
  • background
  • preventing extinction
  • listing process
  • survival and recovery
  • what is a critical habitat?
  • permits and agreements
  • effectiveness
  • endangered species list
• WWF
  • background
  • approaches to conservation
  • involvement with government
    • policy making
  • critiques of WWF
  • important programs and campaigns
• Global Coral Reef monitoring network
  • background
  • sponsors
  • how to get involved
    • training and workshops
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
  • background
  • regulation on trade
  • amendments
  • critiques of CITES
• International Coral Reef Initiative 1994 (ICRI) *1
  • background
  • amendments
    • what qualifies as a marine ecosystem
  • locations implemented
• Coral Reef Alliance
  • background
  • involvement
  • locations implemented

United States laws concerning coral reefs *2

Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (CRCA) *3

• CRCA was established for the purposes of preserving and restoring coral reef ecosystems, promoting wise management and gaining better scientific information on the current condition of and threats to coral reefs. To serve these purposes, the act established four programs: the National Coral Reef Action Strategy, the Coral Reef Conservation Program, the Coral Reef Conservation Fund and the National Program.
• The National Coral Reef Action Strategy was developed to establish goals for research, monitoring and conservation, as well as addressing national and regional issues concerning coral reefs.
• The Coral Reef Conservation Program and Coral Reef Conservation Fund each finance research and conservation projects. The Conservation Program authorizes funding to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Secretary of Commerce and the Conservation Fund authorizes NOAA to provide funding to non-profit organizations for projects concerning coral reefs. By contrast, the Conservation Fund deals directly with non-profit groups to provide funding.
• The National Program assesses the conservation of coral reefs through monitoring and restoring damage. It also works to raise public awareness of problems and conservation efforts through educational programs. The program facilitates the cooperation of federal, state, and regional efforts that work to improve the same reefs.

Hawaiian laws concerning coral reefs

• National Marine Sanctuary Act
• regarding stony corals
• regarding sale of corals
• protected species of coral
• penalties

Floridian laws concerning coral reefs *4

• Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative
• penalties

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• background
• divisions

Coral Reef Task Force

• background
• locations implemented
• goals

International laws concerning coral reefs

• Indian laws concerning coral reefs *5
  • species protected
• Australian laws concerning coral reefs
  • species protected
• Caribbean laws concerning coral reefs *6
  • species protected
  • Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA)

Sources

1. Drake, Susan F. "The International Coral Reef Initiative: A Strategy for the Sustainable Management of Coral Reefs and Related Ecosystems." Coastal Management. 4th ed. Vol. 24. Philadelphia: Taylor & Francis, 1973. 279-99. Print. Ser. 1996.

2. [[1]]

3. [[2]]

4. Craig, Robin Kundis. "Coral Reefs, Fishing, And Tourism: Tensions In U.S. Ocean Law And Policy Reform." Stanford Environmental Law Journal27.1 (2008): 3-41. Environment Complete. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.

5. [[3]]

6. "New Laws To Protect The Barrier Reef." Australian Maritime Digest 206 (2011): 15. Academic Search Complete. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.