Puerto rico block grant modified project summary/abstract section the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is allocating $1,437,229 in federal funding to the department of natural…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $1,437,229 to the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources on October 1, 2025, under the Coral Reef Conservation Program (CFDA 11.482) for coral reef conservation and management activities through September 30, 2027.

The recipient will enhance coral reef conservation and management through program management, administration, priority area management support, monitoring, emergency response coordination, and education and outreach. Coral reef emergency response coordination encompasses coral disease intervention, implementation of the 2022 Coral Reef Emergency Response Protocol, and vessel grounding responses. The education and outreach program will promote coral conservation through a social marketing strategy developed in 2023. Three high-priority projects are planned for the first year: developing a management plan for the Los Jardines Submarinos Marine Nature Reserve, creating a coral genetic management plan to guide restoration efforts, and raising awareness about invasive soft coral among the aquarist industry in Puerto Rico.

Performance occurs in Puerto Rico. The total dollars obligated for this award are $2,145,302.

Puerto rico block grant modified project summary/abstract section the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is allocating $1,437,229 in federal funding to the department of natural and environmental resources (dner) of puerto rico for the coral reef conservation and management program block grants for the period 2025-2026. These funds will be utilized by the dner to enhance coral reef conservation and management through various initiatives, including program management, administration and priority area management support, the coral reef monitoring program, coral reef emergency response coordination, and education and outreach efforts. The coral reef emergency response coordination activities include coral disease intervention, implementation of the 2022 coral reef emergency response protocol, and vessel grounding responses. The education and outreach program will promote coral conservation through a social marketing strategy developed in 2023. Three projects are planned for the first year: developing a management plan for the LOS jardines submarinos marine nature reserve. Creating a coral genetic management plan to guide restoration efforts. Raising awareness about invasive soft coral among the aquarist industry in puerto rico. These high-priority projects aim to improve our understanding and management of coral reefs, laying the groundwork for future conservation efforts.