India heralds celebrations of International Year of the Coral reefs 2008 (IYOR 08)

India organized the first of its three national workshops planned to commemorate the IYOR during 21-23 January 2008 at Kadamat Island, the Lakshadweep. Named Stapcor08 (Status and Protection of Coral Reefs 2008), this workshop brought together 49 participants including reef researchers, managers, policy makers, protection enforcement agencies, social workers and students. The three-day workshop covered six themes:

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

Each session was a blend of contributed papers and group discussions leading to formulation of recommendations that could be implemented at national and reef-region levels. A total of 29 presentations were made besides screening of videos on current status of corals in India. In addition to formulating a series of recommendations to enhance monitoring, management and rejuvenations strategies, the workshop participants also agreed to implement projects of international relevance like bar-coding of reef organisms. 

This workshop was organized by the National Institute of Oceanography and the Administration of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India. Indian Ocean – Census of Marine Life (IO-CoML) extended support by enabling participation of 11 students including bright school children.

For further details, please contact Mohideen Wafar (wafar@nio.org)