NOAA Recommends Moving Corals Damaged by Dredging at Port of Miami

Federal officials say the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should move rare corals damaged by dredging at the port of Miami to underwater nurseries.
 
The Miami Herald reports that according to an internal Sept. 10 email, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fishery officials said the rehabilitated corals could be relocated again after the $205 million project to deepen two channels approaching the port is complete.
 
Florida's Department of Environmental Protection last month said the dredging had violated the rules of a state permit, damaging sea life and smothering corals.
 
David Bernhart of NOAA Fisheries says the Corps sought the agency's advice after receiving the state's warning. He says there's no deadline for moving the corals but all the agencies involved "would like to come to some resolution pretty quickly."