NAS Key West Rescues more than 1,500 Corals

KEY WEST, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary worked together to save more than 1,500 coral colonies and fragments from a seawall construction project at NAS' Mole Pier in Key West Harbor.

Navy staff and contractors, trained by the sanctuary in coral removal and handling, cleared a 425-foot long stretch of seawall of the largest corals, some of which spanned more than two-feet wide. The corals, representing 19 different species, have been placed in the sanctuary's nearby coral nursery and partner nurseries where they will be cared for until they can be placed into beneficial use projects, including the restoration of vessel grounding sites in the Keys and research projects.

"It's critical that the Navy repair this seawall as it is an integral part of the Navy's Key West fleet support facilities," said Edward Barham, NAS Key West's environmental director. "It's a win-win-win situation, the Navy repairs its pier, the sanctuary protects natural resources, and the rescued corals will be used for research, education and reef restoration."

Before nearshore construction occurs in the Florida Keys, the sanctuary reviews the proposed project and determines if any sanctuary resources, such as coral, will be harmed through construction. The sanctuary and works closely with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure that required permits are issued for projects while resources are protected.

"We applaud the efforts of the Navy to limit impacts to the healthy corals which thrived on its seawall," said Lauri MacLaughlin, sanctuary resource manager. "Through our permitting process we were able to ensure that construction could continue, and that these valuable resources could be given a second life in research, restoration and education projects in the Keys, and across the country."

In the next phase of coral rescue, permitted partners from accredited zoos, aquariums, and conservation organizations will remove from the seawall corals less than six inches in diameter, allowing the smallest of the corals to be showcased in educational facilities and used in research projects. Partners include: Florida International University, Georgia Aquarium, Mote Marine Laboratory, Shedd Aquarium, The Florida Aquarium, The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, University of Miami RSMAS and others.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, sea grass meadow, mangrove communities and sand flats. NOAA and the State of Florida manage the sanctuary. Naval Air Station Key West is located within the sanctuary and because of that there's an extra level of awareness and protection for our marine resources, said Naval Air Station Key West Commanding Officer Capt. Patrick Lefere.

"We are very involved with preserving the marine life that is the beauty and backbone of the Florida Keys," said Lefere. "This kind of collaboration is just a real good situation for all agencies involved. It reduces the impact to the coral while allowing us to repair our pier and demonstrate our desire to continue partnering with the marine sanctuary, not just for coral issues, but other environmental issues, as well."

Visit NAS Key West at www.cnic.navy.mil/keywest or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/naskeywest. Visit the sanctuary at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/floridakeysnoaagov.

For more news from Naval Air Station Key West, visit www.navy.mil/local/naskw/.