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TALLAHASSEE – Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary
Michael W. Sole will provide opening remarks during the 11th International Coral
Reef Symposium, July 7 – 11, 2008, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Hosted by the
United States and Florida, this is the first time the conference has been held
on the mainland United States in more than 30 years. The worldwide gathering of
leaders will discuss coral reef protection strategies as well as research
priorities to further protection of sensitive coral ecosystems.
“Florida is proud to help sponsor this internationally-recognized conference
that brings together thousands of representatives from the marine science,
resource management, conservation and policy-making communities,” said DEP
Secretary Michael W. Sole. “By collaborating with our partners on the best
available current science, as well as future research, we can better protect our
coral reef systems, and continue to preserve these vital habitats that provide
shelter, food, breeding and nursery areas for a rich and diverse assortment of
marine life, including important recreational and commercial fisheries.”
Furthering protection for Florida’s marine environment, Governor Crist
yesterday signed into law Senate Bill 1302, which will eliminate the use of
ocean outfalls for wastewater disposal in southeast Florida. Six existing
outfalls along the southeast coast between Delray Beach and Miami currently
discharge 300 million gallons a day of treated wastewater into the ocean. The
law prohibits the construction of new ocean outfall pipes or the expansion of
the existing outfalls on the Southeast Florida coast.
“With this law, Florida will protect the coastal environment along the
Southeast coast and turn what was a waste product into a valuable water resource
– a significant step forward for wastewater policy in our state,” said DEP
Secretary Michael W. Sole. “I applaud Governor Crist, the Florida Legislature,
our agency staff, and all those involved for their support and hard work on this
initiative.”
The law represents the culmination of years of positive momentum and hard
work by environmentalists, citizens and public officials across Florida. To
eliminate the use of ocean outfalls, the law requires each wastewater facility
to:
- Develop a detailed plan by 2013 to significantly decrease the nutrients
discharged through the outfalls by 2018.
- Eliminate the use of outfalls as the
primary disposal method for wastewater by 2025.
- Use sixty percent of the water
previously discharged from these outfalls for urban and agricultural landscape
irrigation, industrial and commercial uses, and for augmenting or recharging
surface and groundwater supplies.
Taking place during the International Year of the Reef, the International
Coral Reef Symposium convenes every four years, and is recognized as the largest
and most important scientific conference disseminating the latest knowledge
about coral reefs worldwide. Sponsored in part by the Symposium as well as the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the International Coral Reef
Initiative, the International Year of the Reef is a worldwide campaign to raise
awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and threats to their
sustainability.
Reefs for the Future is the theme of this Symposium, highlighting the
importance of the world’s coral reefs, as well as the urgent need for heightened
awareness and action to protect them. Degradation and destruction of coral reefs
from pollution, overfishing, coastal development and climate change threatens
these ecosystems on a global scale. Scientists, policymakers, conservationists,
and managers are developing knowledge and implementing science-based strategies
to improve and increase coral reef protection. The Symposium will focus on
current science addressing concepts such as reef structure and function,
ecological processes, ecosystem-based management, and human interactions. Field
trips and workshops will provide hands-on experience and participation with
leaders in the marine science field.
An extensive, beautiful coral reef ecosystem stretches more than 100 miles
along the southeast Florida coast, from Miami-Dade to Martin County. These reefs
are part of the third longest reef system in the world and are one of the
greatest natural resources in Florida and the United States.
The State of Florida, in partnership with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, also manages the world-renowned coral reefs in the
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in partnership. This partnership has
helped monitor and protect this fragile coral ecosystem for 30 years.
For more information, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us. For more information on the 11th International Coral
Reef Symposium, visit
http://www.nova.edu/ncri/11icrs/. | 
