NOAA Plans Update to Coral Reef Protection Blueprint
Published Date: 5/19/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA is updating its plan to protect coral reefs in places like Florida, Hawai'i, and the Caribbean. They want to add new ways to save and restore reefs and are asking the public to share their thoughts by June 18, 2026. This update could change how money and efforts are spent to keep coral reefs healthy and thriving.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Expanded whole-colony coral collection
NOAA will analyze expanding coral collection to include collecting whole coral colonies for use in research, coral nursery broodstock and restoration, rescue during disease outbreaks and thermal events, and preservation in gene banks.
More support for land-based coral nurseries
The supplemental PEIS will analyze expanding coral nursery activities to include more support for ex-situ/land-based coral nurseries, including expansion, maintenance, and herbivore co-culturing.
Bigger restoration sites and new techniques
NOAA will analyze expanding coral restoration to larger areas about the size of two basketball courts (approximately 1,000 m2 or 3,280 ft2), using selectively bred or preconditioned corals, and adding site preparation techniques such as stabilizing loose coral and installing three-dimensional structures for outplant survival.
Mangrove nursery and watershed restoration added
The supplemental PEIS will analyze expanded watershed restoration activities to include in-situ mangrove nursery operations and mangrove restoration.
Program alternatives could reduce or expand work
The PEIS will analyze four program-level alternatives, including Alternative One which would eliminate in-water restoration activities and actions that reduce physical impacts to reefs (for example, marine debris removal and installation of buoys), and Alternative Three which is NOAA's preferred alternative that adds the new actions and expanded methods described above.
Public scoping and comment deadline
NOAA opened a public scoping period starting May 19, 2026 and is accepting written comments through June 18, 2026 about the supplemental Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Coral Reef Conservation Program. Federal, state, and local agencies and other interested persons are invited to submit comments by the June 18, 2026 deadline.
New ecosystem intervention methods
The PEIS will analyze expanded ecosystem intervention activities such as propagation and release of additional herbivores (for example, fish and snails) to control algae, methods to manage unwanted invasive or nuisance species (for example, soft corals), and activities to increase coral larval settlement (for example, playing natural sounds on reefs).
Temporary coral emergency response actions
NOAA will analyze expanded actions to address temporary shifts in ocean conditions, including temporary evacuation of corals to ex-situ facilities, moving coral nurseries to deeper, cooler waters, shading priority corals, and in-situ coral feeding.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-16756, Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Analysis Assessing Potential Modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan To Reduce Mortality and Serious Injury of Large Whales in Commercial Trap/Pot and Gillnet Fisheries Along the U.S. East Coast
NMFS intends to prepare an environmental analysis in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to analyze the impacts of alternatives to amend the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (Plan) if determined to be necessary to reduce mortalities and serious injuries of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and other large whales caused by entanglement in commercial trap/pot and gillnet fisheries along the U.S. East Coast. This notice of intent informs the public of an upcoming scoping period to solicit input on potential efforts to reduce the risk of entanglement to right, humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in U.S. East Coast commercial trap/pot and gillnet fishing gear while stabilizing the economic viability of the U.S. commercial fishing industry, protecting coastal community heritage, and minimizing regulatory burdens to meet statutory requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and other laws as well as administration priorities. A complete list of fisheries regulated by the Plan is included below. This Notice of Intent (NOI) initiates the scoping process, an early and open step designed to determine the scope of issues to be addressed in depth within the environmental analysis. This document is not a notice of proposed rulemaking.
2026-16758, Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Ferndale Pier Maintenance Activities in Ferndale, Washington
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Petrogas Pacific, LLC (Petrogas) to harass marine mammals incidental to Ferndale Pier Maintenance Activities in Ferndale, Washington.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-09968, Fisheries of the Caribbean; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review; Public Meeting
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is hosting a public webinar on June 17, 2026, to review fish stock data for Caribbean fisheries. This meeting helps fishermen, scientists, and environmental groups work together to keep fish populations healthy and fishing sustainable. The process could lead to new fishing rules that protect the environment without hurting local jobs or the economy.
Next: 2026-09970, SJI Board of Directors Meeting, Notice
The State Justice Institute’s Board of Directors is meeting on June 15, 2026, to review and decide on grant applications for the third quarter of the 2026 fiscal year. This affects organizations seeking funding to improve justice systems, with potential money awarded soon. The meeting will also cover other important business, all happening in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.