---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 6412"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "6412"
heading: "Coral reef prize competitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/6412"
units:
  - "Chapter 83 — Coral Reef Conservation"
---

# §6412. Coral reef prize competitions

- (a) **In general—** Subject to the availability of appropriations, the head of any Federal agency with a representative serving on the United States [Coral Reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [Task Force](/usc/16/6415.md?p=24) established by [section 6451 of this title](/usc/16/6451.md), may, individually or in cooperation with one or more agencies, carry out a program to award prizes competitively under [section 3719 of title 15](/usc/15/3719.md).
- (b) **Purposes—** Any program carried out under this section shall be for the purpose of stimulating innovation to advance the ability of the United States to understand, research, or monitor [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8), or to develop management or adaptation options to [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2), sustain, and restore [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8).
- (c) **Priority programs—** Priority shall be given to establishing programs under this section that address communities, environments, or industries that are in distress as a result of the decline or degradation of [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8), including—
  - (1) scientific research and monitoring that furthers the understanding of causes behind [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) decline and degradation and the generally slow recovery following disturbances, including changing ocean chemistry, temperature-related bleaching, disease, and their associated impacts on [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) physiology;
  - (2) the development of monitoring or management options for communities or industries that are experiencing significant financial hardship;
  - (3) the development of adaptation options to alleviate economic harm and job loss caused by damage to [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8);
  - (4) the development of measures to help vulnerable communities or industries, with an emphasis on rural communities and businesses; and
  - (5) the development of adaptation and management options for impacted tourism industries.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–562, title II, § 213, as added Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10001(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3946.)