5-Year Reviews for 15 Threatened Indo-Pacific Reef-Building Corals

In 2021, NOAA Fisheries announced the initiation of a 5-year review for 15 Indo-Pacific reef-building coral species that are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. These include: Acropora globiceps, Acropora jacquelineae, Acropora lokani, Acropora pharaonis, Acropora retusa, Acropora rudis, Acropora speciosa, Acropora tenella, Anacropora spinosa, Fimbriaphyllia paradivisa, Isopora crateriformis, Montipora australiensis, Pavona diffluens, Porites napopora, and Seriatopora aculeata.

NOAA Fisheries is required by the Endangered Species Act to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review.

We requested submission of any such information on these coral species—particularly information on the status, threats, and recovery of the species—that has become available since their listing, effective September 10, 2014.

At this time, we have completed the 5-year review and conclude that no change to the listing status is warranted for any of the 15 Indo-Pacific reef-building coral species.