In a controversial move, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has withdrawn its proposal to list three Hawaiian coral species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The decision, announced on August 23, 2022, has drawn criticism from conservationists and scientists, who argue that the corals are indeed at risk of extinction and deserve protection under the ESA.

The three coral species in question are the cauliflower coral (Pocillopora meandrina), the staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), and the elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata). All three species are found in shallow waters around the Hawaiian Islands and play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem, providing habitat for a variety of fish and other marine life. However, these corals have been in decline for decades due to a combination of factors, including climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

In 2020, the NMFS proposed listing the three coral species as endangered under the ESA. The agency's decision was based on a thorough review of scientific evidence, which showed that the corals were facing significant threats to their survival. However, the NMFS has now reversed its decision, stating that it needs more time to gather additional data on the corals' population trends and threats.

Conservationists and scientists have criticized the NMFS's decision, arguing that it is based on insufficient evidence and that the corals are in imminent danger of extinction. They point to the fact that the corals have already experienced significant declines in population and that the threats they face are well-documented. They argue that waiting to gather additional data will only delay the protection that the corals need to survive.

The decision to withdraw the listing proposal has also raised concerns about the Trump administration's commitment to protecting endangered species. The Trump administration has a history of rolling back environmental regulations and has been criticized for its lack of action on climate change. Critics argue that the decision to withdraw the coral listing proposal is another example of the administration's disregard for environmental protection.

The fate of the three Hawaiian coral species now hangs in the balance. Without the protection of the ESA, they face an uncertain future. Conservationists hope that the NMFS will reconsider its decision and move forward with listing the corals as endangered. Only then can these iconic species be given the chance to recover and thrive in the warming waters of the Pacific Ocean.