Farallon de Medinilla 2022 Coral Reef Survey

Coral reef surveys were conducted at Farallon de Medinilla (FDM) August 1419, 2022 by Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific Scientific Diving Services (SDS). Surveys were conducted in all habitat types around the island, including collection of approximately 1,050 photoquadrats on 73 transects and 615 representative photos in the survey area. Corals in photoquadrat images were identified to the lowest taxonomic level with a reasonable degree of confidence. A total of 16 colonies identified as the ESA-listed coral Acropora globiceps were observed. In addition, a total of 27 colonies believed to be the ESA-listed coral Acropora retusa were observed during the 2022 survey: 10 colonies were captured in photoquadrat images (0.12 of all enumerated coral colonies), and an additional 17 colonies were captured in representative photographs. A. retusa has not previously been positively identified at FDM, although it is included in the range of this coral. This evidence indicates that ESA listed corals are present, but relatively rare, in waters <30 m depth around FDM. There was a mild coral bleaching event underway at FDM during the 2022 survey, which was caused by regional anomalously warm sea surface temperatures. There was insufficient evidence of any adverse impacts to the coral from training, including the use of high-explosive bombs. Only two relatively fresh ordnance items were observed. All other ordnance encountered was historical. No impacts attributable to ordnance (e.g., craters, fresh scars near ordnance) were observed anywhere around the island.