Action timeline

March 3, 2004 – Although elkhorn and staghorn corals were first declared candidate species in 1991, it wasn’t until the Center filed a petition 13 years later that the ball got rolling to grant federal protection. This listing petition also included the fused-staghorn coral.

March 18, 2005 – Responding to the Center’s petition, the National Marine Fisheries Service concluded that existing measures for protecting corals were ineffective in curbing dramatic losses to the species and proposed to place both elkhorn and staghorn corals on the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The agency determined that fused-staghorn coral was a hybrid and ineligible for listing.

May 4, 2006 – Elkhorn and staghorn corals were officially listed as threatened species, becoming the first species listed due to their vulnerability to global warming.

February 6, 2008 – The Fisheries Service proposed designation of critical habitat for elkhorn and staghorn corals. The move was brought about by an agreement settling a Center lawsuit concerning the government’s lack of action to protect coral habitat.

October 28, 2008 – The Fisheries Service passed a rule prohibiting all activities that kill or harm elkhorn or staghorn corals, including removing or damaging them; harming, polluting, or contaminating their habitat; and engaging in boating activities that harm or break the corals.