IO-CoML celebrates International Year of the Coral reefs 2008 (IYOR 08)

The importance of coral reefs cannot be overstated. They constitute the largest pool of biodiversity among all marine ecosystems, including those with as yet undiscovered bioactive molecules, an oasis of high biological productivity and the most aesthetic habitat that attracts millions of tourists. Yet the reefs across the world and their constituent coral species are under threat from a wide variety of causes, natural and manmade. The net result is that we have lost at least 10% of the reefs of the world. Forecasts are still gloomier – we could lose between 20 and 50% more reefs in the next 5 decades.

Reversal of the pressure on reefs is still difficult to achieve by research or regulations alone. What is critical and highly needed now is the involvement of ALL stakeholders in saving the reefs. Celebration of the International Years of Coral Reefs is one effective means of sensitizing all concerned with conservation ad management of reefs.

The year 1998 was IYOR. That gave India an opportunity to get scientists, managers and public together (conference on Status and Protection of Coral Reefs – Stapcor98) to save coral reefs. At the conclusion of this meeting, the participants agreed that the national objective should be “the protection of coral reefs from further degradation and promotion of sustainable use of their resources by adopting appropriate Research and Development policies and by creating awareness (of their value and fragility) in present and potential end users”.

Within the span of 10 years, most of the recommendations have seen implementation. Notable among them are the inclusion of corals under Schedule I of Indian Wildlife Act (means no touch alive or dead!), establishment of Indian Coral Reef Monitoring Network (ICRMN), high levels of capacity building, enhanced surveillance and monitoring and assisted recovery of the reefs.

The same sponsors of STAPCOR98 (Administration of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and the National Institute of Oceanography) have joined hands with Indian Ocean – Census of Marine Life (IO-CoML) to celebrate IYOR08 as STAPCOR08.

The event STAPCOR08 is scheduled to take place at Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep, India during 21-23 January 2008. During this meeting, the participants shall discuss:

1. Evolution of the recovery of the reefs after 1998
2. Strategies for strengthening of MAPs:
3. Science and Technology needed for management
4. Capacity building
5. Biodiversity of reefs other than corals
6. Societal issues and alternate livelihood options

Io-CoML is proud to be associated with such an initiative, especially as CoML supports CReefs as one of its major projects and the Stapcor08 distinguishes as the first such event to commemorate IYOR08.

For further information, write to wafar@nio.org