RESEARCH TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT.

SEC. 2206. RESEARCH TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT. (a) Florida National Marine Sanctuary.— Section 7(a) of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1433 note) is amended by striking paragraph (4); by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (8) as paragraphs (6) through (9), respectively; and by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraphs: “(4) identify priority needs for research and amounts needed to— “(A) improve management of the Sanctuary, and in particular, the coral reef ecosystem within the Sanctuary; and “(B) identify clearly the cause and effect relationships between factors threatening the health of the coral reef ecosystem in the Sanctuary; “(5) establish a long-term ecological monitoring program and data base, including methods to disseminate information on the management of the coral reef ecosystem;”. (b) Deadlines Not Affected.— The amendments made by subsection (a) shall not be construed to modify, by implication or otherwise, the deadlines established under— (1) section 7(a) of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act regarding completion of the comprehensive management plan and final regulations; or (2) section 8(a) of that Act regarding development of the water quality protection program.