Recent coral response events have highlighted the urgent need for integrated response planning to address the threats facing coral reefs. With coral bleaching, disease outbreaks, and other stressors on the rise due to climate change and human activities, coordinated efforts among scientists, policymakers, conservationists, and local communities are essential to mitigate the impacts and ensure the long-term survival of these vital ecosystems. Integrated response planning aims to synergize research, conservation actions, and policy measures to enhance coral resilience and facilitate adaptive management strategies in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.
Coral colonies may stay in the same place for thousands of years, but these sessile organisms spend their early life as mobile larvae. These larvae can disperse tens to hundreds of kilometers, shaping the genetic diversity of coral reefs. Similarly, fish and invertebrate species impact coral reef ecosystem dynamics and local communities as they traverse seascapes as larvae and adults. Understanding coral reef connectivity and using this information in management decisions, such as designing marine protected area networks, can be a powerful tool to build resilience.
This webinar explores two different approaches to gain insight into coral reef connectivity: a hydrodynamic model and a population genetic lens. Experts will present on the two techniques, including what these techniques can and cannot tell us, and showcase how each approach has been used to support management in the Pacific Islands. These presentations will help marine managers understand which approach may work best for the scale, budget, and timeline of their decision-making process.
The impacts of land-based sources of pollution on coral reefs are profound and multifaceted, contributing significantly to their degradation worldwide. Runoff containing sediment, nutrients, pesticides, and industrial waste from human activities such as agriculture, urban development, and manufacturing can lead to sedimentation, nutrient enrichment, and chemical contamination in reef environments. These pollutants disrupt the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems, causing coral bleaching, reduced growth rates, altered species compositions, and increased susceptibility to diseases. Additionally, land-based pollution can exacerbate the effects of climate change and ocean acidification, further jeopardising the health and resilience of coral reefs, which are vital marine ecosystems supporting diverse marine life and providing essential ecosystem services. Addressing these sources of pollution through improved land-use practices, wastewater management, and policy interventions is crucial for the preservation and restoration of coral reef ecosystems.
ICRI recently released a “Guide for integrating coral reefs and associated ecosystems into NBSAPs”, accompanied by 3 case studies from the Philippines, Palau and France. Integrating coral reefs into NBSAPS is crucial for their conservation, protection, and restoration, especially in light of the recent announcement by NOAA and ICRI regarding the fourth global coral bleaching event. The webinar aims to support the implementation of the guidelines – equipping coral reef countries with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively integrate coral reefs into their NBSAPs, in turn supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Over the 90 minutes, speakers will showcase the guidance and its contents, including the 3 case studies, as well as financial support for the implementation of NBSAPs and the NBSAP Forum.
The guidance, case studies and summary are available to download here: https://icriforum.org/documents/icri-coral-reefs-nbsaps/
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.
Sustainable livelihood initiatives are conservation projects that protect both natural systems and human communities, enabling communities to meet their present needs while ensuring long-term well-being for future generations. Whether you are planning to embark on a sustainable livelihood initiative, or simply want to better your practices for engaging and partnering with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, learning the steps you can take to support sustainable livelihoods in your work will greatly improve the likelihood of your conservation actions also serving your local communities.
Speakers discussed The Nature Conservancy’s community-led conservation approach and how to put that approach into action. They highlighted a sustainable livelihood initiative from coastal Ecuador, where local fishers are being trained in beekeeping: strengthening the local communities’ social, environmental, and economic resilience while also accomplishing conservation goals in reducing pressure on local fisheries and supporting native bee populations.Presentations were followed by a question-and-answer session. Simultaneous interpretation for English and Spanish was provided throughout.
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are important tools for supporting the conservation and recovery of marine ecosystems. MPAs also provide critical co-benefits to nearby communities by improving fisheries management, enhancing tourism, and supporting resilient coastal communities. Despite their importance and value, it can be difficult to secure funding to support the long-term success and ongoing needs of MPAs. To help managers and planners better understand MPA finance opportunities, the Reef Resilience Network developed a new MPA Finance Toolkit in partnership with the Blue Nature Alliance.
During this webinar, speakers will provide an overview of the MPA Finance Toolkit and share insights on practical steps managers can take to explore financing options for their own sites. Allen Cedras, Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA), will draw on his experience as a site-level manager and expertise in MPA financing to provide a real-world example of MPA financing in practice. He will discuss the history of SPGA’s financing, including the structure of the SPGA, its transition from a government entity to a public-private enterprise, and the SPGA user fee system.
The webinar will last for one hour and the presentations will be followed by an open question-and-answer session.
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are important tools for supporting the conservation and recovery of marine ecosystems. MPAs also provide critical co-benefits to nearby communities by improving fisheries management, enhancing tourism, and supporting resilient coastal communities. However, lack of compliance with rules and regulations and illegal activities in MPAs can limit their effectiveness and benefits. Monitoring, control, surveillance, and enforcement (also known as MCS&E) systems are critical tools to support MPA effectiveness and outcomes. To help managers and planners better understand MCS&E strategies for MPAs, the Reef Resilience Network is partnering with the Blue Nature Alliance to develop a new MPA Enforcement Toolkit, to be released in 2025.
During this webinar, speakers will provide an overview of the topic, share insights on practical MCS&E strategies, and discuss an application of these strategies in the Bahamas. Speakers will include:
- Sunny Tellwright, Ocean Technology and Innovation Program Manager at Conservation International and MCS advisor for the Blue Nature Alliance
- Gregg Casad, Senior Compliance Advisor to WildAid
- Marcia Musgrove, TNC Northern Caribbean Program Director
- Natalie Miaoulis, TNC Northern Caribbean Program Fisheries Specialist
The webinar will last for one hour and the presentations will be followed by an open question-and-answer session. A recording of the webinar will be available on the Reef Resilience Network website and YouTube channel.
Join us for a 90-minute ICRI #ForCoral webinar on the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE), a globally standardized framework used to assess ecosystem health and identify ecosystems at risk. This tool serves as a headline indicator for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), guiding conservation priorities and helping countries meet their biodiversity commitments.
This session will explore the Global Coral Biodiversity Assessment Project, led by IUCN and CORDIO East Africa with support from MSC Foundation, to expand coral reef RLE assessments worldwide. Using the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) as a case study, we’ll demonstrate how the RLE framework can drive coral conservation across various regions. Attendees will also learn about the technical tools developed, including data-sharing standards, an online code repository, and assessment templates to support consistent, data-driven coral conservation efforts across GCRMN regions.
The management effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) is gaining increased attention globally. Although the number of MPAs is rising, few achieve the level of protection necessary to positively impact ecosystems and biodiversity. Recent global commitments, such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Target 3 (30×30), specifically call for 30% of land and sea areas to be ‘effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected, and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.’ Achieving these ambitious goals requires both clear understanding of how to improve management effectiveness and recognition of the challenges associated with expanding protected areas.
Dr. Johnny Briggs, Director of Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, provided an overview of the 30×30 target’s intent and the challenges in achieving 30% of global waters under effective conservation. Dr. Arthur Tuda, Executive Director of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, shared insights into efforts in the Western Indian Ocean to meet these goals. Dr. Annick Cros, Resilience Science Lead at The Nature Conservancy, introduced the Reef Resilience Network’s upcoming management effectiveness online course. The discussion highlighted a key challenge: expanding MPAs has led to strained management capacity, funding limitations, and the critical need for capacity building to ensure effective conservation.
Resources
- Maps used in Johnny’s presentation were from On Track or Off Course? – Assessing Progress Toward the 30×30 Target for the Ocean.
- Protected Planet features a Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) database
- Marine Protection Atlas provides deeper dives into CBD figures
- Guidance on Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
- Primary OECM Document: CBD COP-14 Decision
- The MPA Guide
- IUCN WCPA Technical Note 16: Approaches for Identifying Areas of Particular Importance for Marine Biodiversity
Did you know that less than 15% of the world’s coral reefs have been monitored? This data gap makes it difficult to track changes and protect these critical ecosystems. Join us for an engaging webinar to explore MERMAID, a global platform for coral reef monitoring. Launched in 2018, MERMAID is now empowering over 2,000 scientists from 70+ organisations across 46 countries to collect, analyse, and act on coral reef data. By simplifying field data collection and analysis, MERMAID enhances workflow efficiency and enables rapid assessment of reef health. In this webinar, speakers will provide an overview of the MERMAID platform and highlight its application in two unique contexts:
- Centralising coral reef data from the Arabian/Persian Gulf for global reporting
- Monitoring small-scale marine protected areas in the Philippines.
This webinar will offer valuable insights into how MERMAID is driving impactful coral reef conservation efforts worldwide, and how it can help managers improve their monitoring workflows.
Speakers:
- Dr. Emily Darling, Director of Coral Reef Conservation and Co-Founder of MERMAID, Wildlife Conservation Society
- Dr. Rita Bento, Research Associate, NYU Abu Dhabi
- Dr. Angelique Brathwaite, Science Director, Blue Alliance Marine Protected Areas
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This Webinar Series is hosted with the financial support of The Government of Sweden, and the Principality of Monaco.
