Coral Reef Initiative
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Guam is part of the International Coral Reef Initiative.
The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is a partnership among nations and organisations seeking to implement Chapter 17 of Agenda 21, and other international Conventions and agreements for the benefit of coral reefs and related ecosystems. The Initiative was established in order to stop and reverse the global degradation of coral reefs and related ecosystems. The ICRI partnership and approach thus far has been to mobilise governments and a wide range of other stakeholders in an effort to improve management practices, increase capacity and political support, and share information on the health of these ecosystems.
The first International Coral Reef Initiative Workshop was held in the Philippines in June 1995. Its aim was to enable countries, donors, and development and funding agencies to work with coral reef managers, private sector representatives, non-governmental organisations and scientists to develop a Call to Action and a Framework for Action for achieving sustainable management of coral reefs and related ecosystems.
The Call to Action highlighted the significance of coral reef ecosystems to sustainable development. 'Coral reef ecosystems offer benefits to humankind beyond those realised for food production, tourism, recreation, aesthetics, and shoreline protection. Capable of sustaining innumerable coastal communities worldwide, these ecosystems also have great economic, social, and cultural importance to nations, and to entire regions. As competition among multiple uses of reef resources increases, so too will their significance to the human populations that depend on them.' Continuing degradation of coral reefs and related ecosystems and their resources may increase the conflict amongst users and threaten environmental and food security. Coral reefs are the life support system for the existence of small island developing states and many coastal communities of developing tropical countries.
The purpose of the Call to Action was, and remains, to mobilise governments and the wide range of other stakeholders whose coordinated vigorous and effective actions are required to address the threats to reefs. The Framework for Action calls for action in four major areas:
- Integrated management;
- Capacity building;
- Research and monitoring; and
- Review.
The Dumaguete City workshop (Philippines, May-June 1995) set in place a strategy for subsequent action under ICRI, including endorsement of the need for periodic review of the extent and success of ICRI implementation as an essential element of the ICRI strategy.
Major data base on reef info: Reef Base: reef resources of Guam
Guam Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 9/27/2005
