International Coral Reef Initiative

The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is a partnership among governments, international organizations, and non-government organizations. It strives to preserve coral reefs and related ecosystems by implementing Chapter 17 of Agenda 21, and other relevant international conventions and agreements. More...

Tue, 2012-01-03 05:20

ICRI GM 26 (December 2011) - Summary and Outcomes

The third General Meeting under the French-Samoan co-secretariat was held from the 12-15 December 2011, in La Réunion. Two resolutions were adopted. One on the International Coral Reef Action Network, that suspends the Network, and the other one on the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development that encourages ICRI members to support the inclusion of references to the conservation and sustainable management of all coral reefs, and their importance to sustainable development in the final outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), as well as any statement of commitments which may also include the blue economy and integrated oceans management.

Fri, 2012-01-27 03:37

Inter-agency Report Focuses on the Green Economy in Marine Sectors

An inter-agency report, titled "Green Economy in a Blue World," concludes that the ecological health and economic productivity of marine and coastal ecosystems can be enhanced from well-managed marine sectors. The synthesis report analyzes how key sectors that are interlinked with the marine and coastal environment can make the transition towards a green economy and identifies recommendations across six marine-based economic sectors.Read more

Wed, 2012-01-25 14:16

GEF SGP helps Communities protect the Speyside Marine Area

Tobago's coral reefs have been threatened significantly by numerous factors both anthropogenic and natural. The reefs in Speyside, however, showed little susceptibility to the natural environmental threats that have persisted over the years, namely, bleaching, eutrophication and sedimentation. It was for this reason that it was described as versatile and resilient by the Buccoo Reef Trust and consequently became the target for a properly managed and protected, marine park.Read more

Fri, 2012-01-20 03:14

Rio+20 Update: Zero draft of outcome document now available

The Rio+20 Secretariat has released the zero draft of the outcome document for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), to be held in Rio de Janeiro on 20-22 June, 2012. In the section on [Oceans and Seas, SIDS], the following paragraph is referring to ICRI and coral reefs:Read more

Tue, 2012-01-10 08:39

Rare and National Geographic Announce Winners Of "Solution Search: Turning the Tide for Coastal Fisheries"

Rare, in partnership with National Geographic, announced the grand-prize winner and runners-up of "Solution Search: Turning the Tide for Coastal Fisheries." Through online voting at www.solutionsearch.org, the public voted for their top three solutions. The Wildlife Conservation Society won the grand prize with its solution, "Bycatch Escape Gaps for Fish Traps" in Curaçao and Kenya. It received a U.S. $20,000 prize to support its conservation and resource management initiative. The two runners-up, Off the Hook Community Supported Fishery and the Misool Baseftin Foundation, each received prizes of U.S. $5,000 for their respective solutions, "Fresh. Fair. Fish." in Canada and "Defending the Heart of Marine Biodiversity: Community Stewardship of Raja Ampat's Reefs" in Raja Ampat.Read more

Fri, 2012-01-06 09:43

Coral Triangle Atlas Beta Version is launched

The Coral Triangle Atlas (CT Atlas) is an online GIS database, providing governments, NGOs and researchers with a view of spatial data at the regional scale of Coral Triangle region.Read more

Wed, 2012-01-04 16:49

United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) and coral reefs

Background

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) is being organized in pursuance of General Assembly Resolution 64/236 (A/RES/64/236). The Conference will take place in Brazil on 20-22 June 2012 to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), in Rio de Janeiro, and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg. It is envisaged as a Conference at the highest possible level, including Heads of State and Government or other representatives. The Conference will result in a focused political document.Read more

Wed, 2011-12-28 10:15

Indonesia's newest Ramsar Site

The Ramsar Secretariat is delighted to announce that Indonesia has designated Pulau Rambut Wildlife Reserve (90 hectares, 05°58’28”S 106°41’35”E) as it sixth Wetland of International Importance. As summarized by Ramsar’s Saber Masoomi, the wildlife sanctuary, located on a small atoll reef island northwest of Jakarta City, has a tropical climate and comprises several wetland habitat types, such as coral reefs, intertidal flats, mangrove forests, lagoons and seasonal freshwater marshes.Read more

Tue, 2011-12-13 05:40

UNGA Postpones Action on Law of the Sea Resolution

6 December 2011: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has delayed action on its annual omnibus text on Oceans and the Law of the Sea.Read more