In 2009 a petition constructed by the Center for Biological Diversity was presented to NOAA and proposed 83 species of reef-building coral be classified under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In reaction NOAA released their list of 66 coral species on November 30th 2012. 59 species living in Pacific waters and 7 in the Carribean. Their listings are thankfully not all going to be endangered. 52 of the Pacific water corals will be listed as “threatened” and 7 will be listed as endangered. The Carribean species will have two listed as “threatened” and 5 endangered. Photo courtesy of noaa.gov NOAA’s findings have been through the gamete of peer review as well as public review but they are again asking for public input: Before making a final decision on this proposal, we are asking for comments from all interested parties. The public has 90 days to provide additional comments, which will be considered before NOAA issues its final decision. There are several ways to participate including:

• Submit a public comment online. Go to www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2010-0036 into the keyword search.
• Attend one of the public hearings in the Pacific islands or Southeast regions to be held in January and February 2013. Details for these hearings are listed in the Federal Register Notice and in this table.
• Join the national stakeholder webinar on December 19, 2012, at 4:00PM EST. We will post details here when available.
• Join one of several webinars, which will be announced on this web page when available.

  Read more here!