In May 2025, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) held its milestone 50th meeting at the U.S. Department of the Interior Building in Washington, D.C. Nine out of ten coral reef jurisdictions were represented at this meeting in-person, which provided a well-rounded forum for discussion and collaboration on all things coral within the United States. To celebrate the 50th meeting, the USCRTF partnered with National Geographic to showcase the new Pristine Seas film, which featured the incredible reefs of the Marshall Islands, an affiliate of the USCRTF. USCRTF Working Groups, including the Restoration, Watershed, Communications, and Enforcement Working Groups, met in person to share project outcomes related to coral-reef-related issues. Notable highlights from the public Business Meeting included a ‘Bright Spots’ presentation from the U.S. All Islands Committee, panels on marine biosecurity and community/infrastructure protection by coral reefs, and an expert presentation on the interface between coral reefs and fisheries. This eventful meeting marked one of two in-person meetings that the USCRTF hosts per year, with this year’s second meeting hosted in Puerto Rico in November.
Written by 2025 Knauss Fellow, Kara Chuang
