Meetings Other Relevant Events
The Status of the Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event and the role of the global coral reef community
Following the recent announcement by NOAA and ICRI on April 15th regarding the 4th Global Coral Bleaching Event – the second in a decade – this webinar aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the current state of coral bleaching on local and global scales. This global event requires global action and ICRI and its members continue to advance coral interventions and restoration in the face of climate change.
During this 2 hour webinar hear about the current status of coral bleaching from coral reef regions and countries (USA, Australia, the Red Sea, the Western Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, Brazil, and France) and the role of the global coral reef community to secure a future for coral reefs.
Coral bleaching is a phenomenon in which corals lose their vibrant colours due to stress, such as elevated sea temperatures, pollution, or changes in water chemistry, leading to the expulsion of their symbiotic algae, known as zooxanthellae, from their tissues. This leaves the coral tissue transparent, revealing the white skeleton underneath. While bleached corals are not necessarily dead, prolonged bleaching can lead to coral mortality if the stress persists.
Coral bleaching poses a significant threat to coral reef ecosystems worldwide, as it can result in extensive coral mortality, declines in biodiversity, and habitat degradation.
English with French and Spanish Interpretation
To share key messages and resources about coral bleaching, its impacts, causes and solutions currently being implemented and developed, ICRI has developed the “Coral Bleaching Hub” to support responses, policy and planning, and encourage global cooperation.
Should you have any questions or need more information, do not hesitate to contact the ICRI Secretariat
Tuesday 14th May 2024
Agenda
Opening and Housekeeping
Margaux Monfared, ICRI Secretariat
Welcoming Remarks
Jennifer Koss, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program and ICRI co-chair
The Fourth Global Bleaching Event
Derek Manzello, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
The Current Status of Coral Bleaching from Coral Reef Regions
Australia and the Great Barrier Reef
David Wachenfeld, AIMS
The Red Sea
Matthew Tietbohl, KAUST
The Western Indian Ocean
David Obura / Karin Moejes, CORDIO
The Caribbean
Judith Lang, AGRRA
Brazil
Beatrice Ferreira, Departamento de Oceano e Gestão Costeira, Secretaria de Mudança do Clima
France
Antoine Pebayle, IFRECOR
Question and Answer
Moderator: Margaux Monfared, ICRI Secretariat
Discussion on next steps and the role of the global coral reef community
Moderator: Jennifer Koss, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program and ICRI co-chair
Concluding remarks
ICRI Secretariat
Jennifer Koss
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program and ICRI Co-Chair
Jennifer is the director of NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program in 2015, creating an ambitious vision and strategic plan for coral conservation and management efforts at NOAA. She also holds key national and international positions as the Steering Committee Co-Chair of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, Co-Chair of the International Coral Reef Initiative, chair of the Global Coral reef Monitoring Network Steering Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Coral Research and Development Accelerator Program (CORDAP), Jennifer is a graduate of NOAA’s Leadership Competencies Development Program and has legislative experience serving two years in Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s (D-HI) Office.
Derek Manzello
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
Dr. Derek Manzello is a coral reef ecologist, with a Ph.D. in Marine Biology and Fisheries from the Rosenstiel School of the University of Miami, and is the Coordinator of NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch program, an effort focused on the monitoring of coral reef ecosystems through satellite and in situ observations. Coral Reef Watch uses NOAA satellite data to monitor environmental conditions that lead to coral bleaching and other marine ecological disturbances. Dr. Manzello has published on multiple topics in coral reef ecology, and he regularly conducts research that spans the disciplines of biology, chemistry, and geology. His primary research interest is understanding the impact of climate change and ocean acidification to coral reef ecosystems.
Antoine Pebayle
French Coral Reef Initiative (IFRECOR)
Antoine has been a marine biology and coral reefs policy officer at the Ministry of Ecological Transition of France since 2019. As such, he is in charge of coordinating the French Coral Reefs Initiative (Ifrecor) alongside the Ministry of the Overseas. He is the national focal point to international initiatives such as the International Coral Reefs Initiative (ICRI) or the Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP). Antoine has a background in environment sciences and policies.
Margaux Monfared
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Secretariat
Margaux has experience in managing and organising marine conservation projects in diverse reef environments around the world, including Honduras, Cambodia, and the Maldives. Her experience focused on increasing coral reef resilience to climate change. Margaux’s most recent research focused on the reproductive patterns of Acropora in the Maldives, as well as coupling asexual propagation methodologies with the use of coral larvae for restoration. Margaux joined the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Secretariat in May 2023 and supports ICRI’s members in the implementation of the Plan of Action 2021 – 2024: Turning the Tide for Coral Reefs.
Coming soon