History

Below is a historical timeline of the AIC.

• 1994

  U.S. announces establishment of an International Coral Reef Initiative at the SIDS meeting in Barbados in May; proposal to develop a state and territorial driven coral reef initiative approved by Pacific Basin Development Council Governors in August.

  American Flag Pacific Islands workshop held in Honolulu (December) to develop the first regional Coral Reef Initiative Work Plan.

• 1996

  The AIC was formed with representatives from the U.S. states, territories, and commonwealths of American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawai’i, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• 1997

  U.S. Islands Coral Reef Initiative Workshop held on the Island of Maui, Hawaii. Summary published (“Blue book”).

• 1998

  Presidential Executive Order 13089 establishes the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF).  

• 1999

  The AIC is formalized (called the U.S.  All Islands Coral Reef Initiative Coordinating Committee) by Governor-appointed Points of Contact (POCs) from each coral reef jurisdiction and the  “U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Initiative Strategy” (“Green Book”) is published by the AIC.

• 2000

  The Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau) were invited to join the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force as non-voting members and were also invited to participate in the AIC as Affiliate members.

  U.S. Coral Reef Task Force presents the National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs.

  Florida joins AIC as an Associate member.

• 2002

  The AIC Secretariat was formally established to provide policy support and coordination for the Committee’s participation in the USCRTF. The Secretariat helps the jurisdictions to coordinate coral reef initiatives with partners.

  NOAA, in cooperation with the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, produces a National Coral Reef Action Strategy.

• 2004

  Executive director position established for AIC Secretariat; jointly funded by NOAA and jurisdictions.

• 2006

  “Interim Strategy for Calendar Year 2006” published by the U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Initiative Coordinating Committee.  

• 2007

  “Strategic Action Plan, 2008-2013” published by the AIC (“Yellow Book”).

• 2010

  “Strategic Action Plan, 2008-2013” updated by the AIC.

• 2013

  Members of the AIC approve extending the 2010 version of the Strategic Plan through 2014.

• 2016

  Members of the AIC approve an updated Strategic Plan for 2016-2020.

• 2022

  The Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 is reauthorized, marking the first major coral reef-related legislation passed in the U.S. in over two decades.