Over one-half
Coral
of the world's population lives
Reef
within 100 kilometres
Targeted Research &
Capacity Building for Management
of the sea.
Coral Reef
Targeted Research
& Capacity Building
for Management
Bleaching
Connectivity
Disease
Restoration
Remote Sensing
Modeling

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Whether it's climate change
or higher population density,
it's Global Change no matter
how you look at it.
The question is: can the
ecological systems that
support our wellbeing
adapt to the pace of current
changes?
Aerial photograph of hotel development in
Cancun, Mexico adjacent to coral reefs.
© Woolcott Henry 2001

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Our societies face unprecedented and
mounting challenges in dealing with human
population growth and associated economic
development pressures.
Today, over one-half of the world population--more
than 3.6 billion people--live within 100 kilometers of
the world's coastlines. Two out of three of the world's
cities of over 2.5 million inhabitants are located in
coastal regions. The pressures and transformations
on these land and seascapes are unprecedented in
history--both with respect to the spatial coverage
and the rate at which they are changing. Throughout
much of the world, coasts are over-developed, over-
crowded and over-exploited.
This puts tremendous pressure on coastal eco-
systems, many of which are showing increasing signs
of stress and even collapse.
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Earth Sciences and Image Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center
Coral reefs are among these coastal ecosystems
And we are not adequately equipped with the
under stress.
understanding and the tools needed to manage and
plan for changes brought about by the transformation
Coral reefs occupy only 0.1% of the ocean's surface,
of these ecosystems--especially over the past 30
yet they are the world's richest repository of marine
years.
biodiversity. They are the largest living structures on
Earth--the only natural communities distinctly visible
Today's environmental problems are increasingly
from space. Complex and productive, coral reefs have
complex and intractable--overwhelming for
survived over the course of more than 400 million
individual scientists and managers to resolve
years of evolution, and possess richness, diversity
independently. There are indeed many actions that
of life and structure that are integral foundations for
can and are being undertaken in working to reverse
humanity. Within an equatorial band between the
negative trends for coral reefs, and to raise awareness
Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, coral reefs are the
of their importance to coastal societies, but the tools
lifeblood of nearshore, tropical waters and play a key
in the toolbox remain woefully inadequate to manage
role for the coastal populations that depend on food
in the face of acute impacts and multiple stresses.
and resources for daily livelihoods.
This information brochure introduces a Global Coral
Today, coral reefs around the world are in such serious
Reef Targeted Research program, whose aim is to
decline that their defi lement risks contributing to
shed light on key unknowns through coordinated
environmental and economic instability of many
research and to put this knowledge into the hands of
coastal nations. Of the 109 countries with signifi cant
decision-makers where it can make a difference.
coral reef communities, over 93 are experiencing
It describes the various themes and entities that
damage to them. Many coral reefs have reached a
have come together thus far to form this critical
state of decline that they can no longer be considered
undertaking, and seeks support from new partners
as coral reefs, while others are under increasing threat
who share our global vision.
from local human disturbances and impacts from a
changing global climate.
Although opinions abound as to the causes, the
OUR PARTNERS
cumulative and interactive effects of stress on coral
reefs and the implications for long-term sustainability

The CRTR Program is a partnership between
of these ecosystems are simply unknown. While
the Global Environment Facility, the World
managers struggle to maintain a balance between
Bank, The University of Queensland (Australia),
use and conservation in deciding among complex
the United States National Oceanic and
trade-offs, we do not know enough about the
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and
fundamental factors affecting coral reefs in many
approximately 40 research institutes & other
areas to make practical management decisions.
third parties around the world.
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What is "Targeted Research?"
The oceans occupy over 70% of the planet's surface,
but our knowledge of their resources is only in its infancy.
The Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity
The CRTR Program is coordinated across geographic
Building for Management (CRTR) Program
nodes that refl ect the regional distribution of coral
has been established to address fundamental
reefs and the management initiatives underway
information gaps in our understanding of coral
to conserve them. The regional nodes will be the
reef ecosystems, so that management options and
focal points for research carried out by international
policy interventions can be strengthened globally.
scientifi c working groups and integrated within
For the fi rst time in history, this Program will join the
an overall research framework consisting of three
collective effort of many of the World's leading coral
strategic elements:
reef scientists to coordinate research and address
· Addressing knowledge and technology gaps
key outstanding questions about the health
of coral reefs.
· Promoting learning and capacity building
· Linking
scientifi c knowledge to management
The Program is being developed in phases over 15
years, and through focused and systematic research
A major focus of the CRTR Program is to build
is working to support management and policy and
capacity in countries with coral reefs to develop and
to better integrate results with other disciplines,
sustain a robust research framework and to apply the
such as economics and law. The Program will also
fi ndings in practical ways.
enhance the capacity of researchers, students and
managers within developing countries, so that a
global network can effectively share the most up-to-
date research to benefi t regional, national and local
management actions and policy.
James Oliver (reefbase.org)
3

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4

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Addressing Knowledge and Technology Gaps
Over the past 10 years, an increasing awareness
The Working Groups
of the importance of coral reefs has been evident,
especially in light of their rapid decline in many
The Working Groups form the scientifi c basis for the
regions and their importance to developing
Program and are major areas in which additional
countries. However, signifi cant gaps remain in
knowledge is essential. The Groups have developed
our understanding of many of the basic forcing
priority investigations with the express intention
functions and processes affecting coral reefs--to
to inform management. The Working Groups are
the extent that current management options remain
represented internationally and include members
severely limited. This targeted research framework
from both developing and developed countries.
is systematically identifying information gaps, and
Membership represents major researchers within
prioritizing them in order of strategic importance to
specifi c areas of coral reef science.
management, so that the resulting information and
tools developed can lead to credible outcomes.
From 1998-2001, scoping sessions were held with
scientists and managers around the world to
determine where the major gaps lay in the science
and technology currently supporting coral reef
management. Based on this effort, six themes were
identifi ed and led to the formation of six working
groups:
1. Bleaching and Local Ecological Factors
2. Connectivity and Large-Scale
Ecological Processes
3. Coral Disease
4. Restoration and Remediation
5. Remote Sensing
6. Modeling and Decision Support
5

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Working Groups
Coral Bleaching and Local Ecological Responses
Chair: Prof. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, The University of Queensland, Australia
Members: Yossi Loya, Co-Chair, University of Tel Aviv, Israel; Bill Fitt, Cellular responses, USA; John Bythel, Local ecological responses, UK; Rob
van Woesik, Local ecological responses, USA; Roberto Iglesias-Prieto, Molecular mechanism/markers, Mexico; Ruth Gates, Cellular responses,
USA; Michael Lesser, Cellular responses, USA; Ron Johnstone, Local ecological responses, Australia; Tim McClannahan, Local ecological
responses, Kenya; David Obura, Local ecological responses, Kenya.
The Bleaching Working Group's (BWG) mandate is
It has drawn together international experts to
to examine specifi c physiological mechanisms for
investigate these critical issues that surround the
coral bleaching as well as the local ecological factors
impact of global climate change on the world's coral
that precipitate bleaching and its after-effects, and
reefs. The knowledge needed by management to
differences between direct human stresses with
be effective is by nature enormous and diverse. The
those related to climate change.
BWG will deliver critical information that will enable
management to better understand and predict the
outcome of climate change on coral reefs and it
will focus on four key areas, representing the most
urgent information gaps:
1.
A more complete understanding of the
susceptibility and tolerance of corals to rising sea
temperatures.
2.
A more accurate model of the impact of global
climate change on coral reef ecosystems.
3.
Management tools by which to identify and
monitor stress on coral reefs.
4.
Better scenarios of the socio-economic
Bleaching refers to the loss of symbiotic dinofl agellate algae,
implications of global climate change on coral
Symbiodinium, within the coral host leading to a bleached, white
appearance. Bleaching is a stress response of the coral host and
reefs.
associated with elevated sea water temperature. Over extended
time periods a bleached state can lead to death of the coral, and
can occur over large areas of coral reef.
Large scale bleaching affected the world's largest continuous
coral reef in early 2002. More than 60% of the Great Barrier
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
Reef bleached and up to 5% have been severely damaged.
Ernesto Weil
6

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Connectivity and Large-Scale Ecological Processes
Chair: Prof. Peter F. Sale, Chair (Canada); Menchie Ablan (Philippines); Ernesto Arias (Mexico); Mark J. Butler IV (USA); Mary Alice Coffroth
(USA); Robert K. Cowen (USA); Bret S. Danilowicz (USA); Geoff P. Jones (Australia); Ken Lindeman (USA); Serge Planes (France); Barry Ruddick
(Canada); Yvonne Sadovy (Taiwan, China); Robert S. Stenck (USA); Alina Szmant (USA); Simon Thorrold (USA)
Coral reefs are patchily distributed ecosystems
become additional ecological tools for measuring
potentially connected by ocean currents.
demographic connectivity in other species and other
`Connectivity' is the fl ux of items between locations.
sites, while the demonstration projects will provide
It exists for nutrients, sediments, and pollutants,
early information on connectivity in the specifi c cases
and for the transfer of individuals between local
studied.
populations. Because of the complex nature of
water movement in and around coral reef systems,
connectivity is diffi cult to measure and predict.
We know that the transfer of non-living materials
is likely to be determined by local and regional
hydrodynamics, but we know that the transfer of
organisms (demographic connectivity) is more
complex. This is because passive transport due
to hydrodynamics is substantially modifi ed by
the sensory and behavioural capabilities of the
organisms.
Even though most dispersal amongst populations
is done by larval stages, larvae of many reef species
are highly capable mid-water organisms that can
determine, to a degree, where and when they travel.
Because of these complexities the Connectivity
research team focuses on demographic
connectivity. This is seen as the most challenging
form of connectivity to investigate and studying
demographic connectivity will inevitably require that
we improve our capacity to model hydrodynamics
that drive other forms of connectivity.
The primary objective of the research during Phase
1 will be to undertake demonstration projects that
will make empirical measurements of connectivity
for selected species at specifi c locations. This
means that new methods for tracing the movements
of larvae from source populations to settlement
sites will be developed. These new methods will
To what degree are coral reefs connected across space and time? Do they rely
upon larval sources from elsewhere, or from local sources of seeding? Are larval
sources dependent upon spawning aggregations?
Robert K. Cowen
Claire Paris, Rosenstiel School of Marine
7
and Atmospheric Sciences

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Working Groups
Coral Disease
Chair: Prof. C. Drew Harvell, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
Members: Garriet Smith, Co-Chair, USA; Bette Willis, Co-Chair (Australia); Farooq Azam, USA; Eric Jordan, Mexico; Eugene Rosenberg, Israel;
Ernesto Weil, Puerto Rico; Laurie Raymundo, Philippines/Guam
Over the last 20 years, unprecedented increases in
1. Global assessment of coral diseases and
disease on coral reefs have contributed signifi cantly
anthropogenic facilitators.
to coral reef degradation. Disease-related damage
of coral reefs has been well documented in the
2. Exploration of the impacts of disease on coral
Caribbean, but recent observations of coral disease
and community diversity.
Coral lesions and diseases
have become prevalent
in other regions of the world are just beginning, and
within the Caribbean Sea,
disease occurrence in these other regions may be
3. Process-oriented studies of epidemiology of coral
as shown in this species of
massive coral (below) and
a potential harbinger for increasing outbreaks and
disease, and
Gorgonian sea fans
impacts associated with increased climate warming.
(below, right). While
4. Elucidation of the mechanisms of resistance to
the Caribbean has been
previously reported as
What has prompted this rapid emergence of coral
disease.
having the
disease? The Disease Working Group (DWG) is
highest incidences of coral
diseases, new fi ndings sup-
targeting investigations to address this question,
ported by this Targeted
to understand this emergent problem and to
Research program are show-
ing that coral disease is also
develop tools and responses that can be used for
prevalent in other
management. The Disease Working Group is basing
oceans, such as the Pacifi c
and Western Indian Oceans
its work program around the following major tasks
main: Woolcott Henry
and hypotheses issues:
inset: Ernesto Weil
8

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Restoration and Remediation
Chair: Dr. Alasdair Edwards, University of New Castle-Upon-Tyne (U.K.)
Members: Edgardo D. Gomez, Co-Chair (Philippines), Andrew Heyward (Australia), Richard E. Dodge (Caribbean), Baruch Rinkevich (Israel),
Aileen Morse (USA), Tadashi Kimura (Japan), Makoto Omori (Japan).
The world-wide degradation of coral reefs,
The Restoration and Remediation Working Group
particularly in the last two decades, has prompted
(RRWG) is examining the state of restoration
1975
greater attention to remediation and restoration.
and remediation techniques and is targeting
This has resulted in a wide range of initiatives
investigations to test the effi cacy of a range of
broadly classifi ed as improving the existing
potential applications. The research includes the
condition of impacted coral reefs (mainly through
following considerations:
human infl uence). Early initiatives have focused
· the
scientifi c protocols necessary to design and
more on artifi cial reefs where "reefs", or more
implement restoration strategies
accurately "fi sh-aggregating devices" are created on
noncoral reef platforms, mainly to enhance fi sheries
· baseline data for developing effective criteria
production. While this approach is still being
· the
effi cacy and feasibility of restoration and
1985
expanded more recent activities have been directed
remediation techniques
specifi cally at restoring degraded coral reefs.
· prospects for enhancing natural recovery
The diversity and scale of remediation/restoration
· opportunities to combine reef remediation with
activities vary tremendously. They cover habitat
small and micro-enterprise at the local level
modifi cation, coral transplantation, species re-
working on three research programs for Phase
introduction, and the enhancement of recruitment
One.
potential (or colonization by young). Some of these
interventions involve large-scale sub-tidal structures
These programs involve studies of both natural
Stands of the elkhorn
designed to facilitate natural colonization of reef
recovery processes and restoration interventions:
coral, Acropora palmata,
at Carysfort Reef in the
species, while others use simpler and less costly
Florida Keys between
1. Integrated long-term monitoring of natural
approaches.
1987 and 1998.
recovery processes and selected restoration
Phillip Dustan
College of Charleston, SC
Reef remediation and restoration will continue to
interventions on standardised substrates (such
have an increasingly important role in the future
as settling plates or tiles made of the same
and efforts are likely to expand. However, viable
material and uniformity) to evaluate effi cacy and
approaches and technologies are in relatively early
cost effectiveness and to help determine the key
stages of development, and in most cases are
processes driving or hindering recovery.
Nursery corals being
currently diffi cult to implement over large areas.
reared for reef restoration
2. Enhancing coral larval recruitment ­ through
trials by CRTR Program
researchers
Reef remediation/restoration should not replace reef
mass culture in open sea from egg to colony, by
protection as the fi rst management option. However,
using attractants, or by augmenting larval supply
large areas of degraded reefs make it unavoidable to
to the reef.
ignore remediation and restoration actions. The loss
of biological and economic services from degraded
3. Enhancing recovery by culture and
reefs continually emphasize the need for maintaining
transplantation of corals ­ using transplants
the ecosystem, and where degraded, to restore it to
direct from the reef or transplants derived from
a level where signifi cance can be returned.
nursery reared branches, nubbins (small coral
fragments) or spat (baby corals).
9

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Working Groups
Remote Sensing
Chair: Prof. Peter J. Mumby, University of Exeter, U.K.
Members: Laura David, Co-Chair (Philippines); Ellsworth LeDrew (Canada); Stuart Phinn (Australia); Alan Strong (USA); William Skirving
(Australia); Mark Eakin (USA)
Prior to this targeted research effort, the remote
The RSWG will be focusing on four key areas:
sensing of coral reefs has been conducted on an ad-
1.
Creation of decision-support and analysis software
hoc basis with little consistency or general insight into
for monitoring the health of coral reefs using
its limitations. Remote sensing is a technology-driven
remote sensing.
practice and until now, the remote sensing of coral
reefs has been conducted on an ad hoc basis with little
2.
Development of methods to detect changes in
consistency or general insight into its limitations.
coastal environment.
3.
Application of remote sensing to the inventory,
For example, we know that some aspects of coral
monitoring and management of biodiversity.
reef health can be resolved on shallow reefs in French
4.
Creation of an Ocean Atlas and tools to manage
Polynesia but we cannot predict whether this would be
coral bleaching.
a realistic expectation in say Jamaica, where reefs have
a different fl ora and fauna, are located in deeper water,
The Group will evaluate the limitations of coral reef
and where light penetration is slightly reduced because
remote sensing by combining radiative transfer
of higher suspended sediment concentrations in the
modelling and fi eld experiments, to provide tools
water column.
to identify various coral reef habitats and the extent of
Without a generic understanding of the limitations
living coral and algae. New indicators of stress on
of coral reef remote sensing, the technology may
reefs are also being developed from satellite-based
continue to be oversold or deployed for unrealistic
observations of sea surface temperature, wind speed
management objectives, resulting in an inappropriate
and solar insolation.
use of fi nancial resources.
Through these objectives, the RSWG aims to:
The Remote Sensing Working Group (RSWG) will
·
Provide better information for managers by
be developing and testing a wide range of remote
developing and testing the tools necessary to
sensing tools, including satellite, airborne, acoustic and
measure and monitor the status of coral reef
in-fi eld methods.
ecosystems at multiple spatial and temporal scales.
The Remote Sensing Working Group (RSWG) will
·
Improve the use of spatial information by
quantify the limitations of coral reef remote sensing by
developing the application of remote sensing
combining modeling and fi eld experiments.
products for conservation science and spatial
decision-making.
Earth Sciences and Image Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center
·
Critically examine the cost-effectiveness of new
methods to ensure that the best use of information.
Satellite (IKONOS) image of Heron Island, Australia, captured in April, 2004, im-
mediately following a period of coral reef bleaching. Heron Island is the small land
mass (brown) to the left of the image, whereas most of the living reef structure
can be seen as light brown. Note the living patch reefs (seen as small dots) in the
center of the image. The bright white dots surrounding the edges of the reef are
waves. The RSWG is using this and other images of coral reefs to determine the
10
degree to which change detection may be possible over large areas.

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Modeling and Decision Support
Chair: Prof. Roger Bradbury, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Members: Pascal Perez, Co-Chair, Australia; Porfi rio Aliño, Philippines; Ernesto Arias, Mexico; Bohdan Durnota, Australia; Craig Johnson,
Australia; Rob Seymour, U.K; Peter Campbell, Australia/USA.
A major outcome of the CRTR Program will be to
3. There is a strong local capacity to maintain and
improve our predictive capability in assessing impacts
improve the systems after initial development
to coral reef ecosystems, in the face of cumulative
4. Current expertise in Australia and the US on
stress from increasing coastal populations, changes
agent-based modeling, supplemented by
in climate and other uncertainty. The Modeling
partners in Europe, is built upon and combined
and Decision Support Working Group (MDSWG) is
with the considerable body of knowledge of coral
focused on the development of tools to improve coral
reef ecology and hydrodynamics accumulated by
reef management and communication.
the various working groups.
The MDSWG integrates the work of the other fi ve
The Working Group intends to develop a set of
working groups, and combines this with social,
spatially-explicit models that can serve as layers
economic, ecological and physical information.
within Geographic Information Systems, and are
Scenario building, which will allow the forecasting
designed to provide analyses of the potential
of reef ecosystem response to stress under different
impacts of various management interventions on
management/use options (including upstream or
coral reefs and associated local economic and social
offsite development), will provide decision-makers
systems. The layers will be interlinked to provide for
with the basis to improve management interventions
interdisciplinary analyses of potential cause and
and the design or strengthening of relevant policies
effect relationships.
that contribute to the sustainability of coral reef
ecosystems.
Included in this type of synthesis and analysis
may be the impact of human stress on altering
trophic relationships on coral reefs, particularly the
relationship between nutrients, overfi shing, and the
overgrowth of corals by seaweeds and the reversibility
of transitions between coral dominated and algal-
dominated states.
A coarse level representation
The major design goals of the MDSWG include the
of the Yucatan coast from
following:
Cancun to Sian Ka'an
Biosphere reserve in Mexico
using SimReef modeling
1. Long-term fi eld efforts of the various working
scenarios.
groups' results will be used to parameterize
Modeling is an important
tool for mangers to assess
models
environmental, man-made
and other pressures facing
2. The decision support systems are based on needs
coral reefs along coastal
that are of high priority in developing nations
regions.
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Promoting Learning and Enhancing Capacity
Building scientifi c and management capacity in
Centers of Excellence
countries where coral reefs occur is a major thrust
of the CRTR Program. Support for capacity building
In the fi rst phase of the Program capacity is being
will focus on key regions and development of
enhanced in three developing country sites or
the Centers of Excellence to serve as the focal
nodes so that they can function as regional Centers
points for scientifi c learning exchanges. The CRTR
of Excellence. These three sites are also supported
Program aims to bring researchers from the various
by a fourth site based in a developed country.
Working Groups together to orient fi eld research,
The four Centers are:
brief one another on fi ndings and, based on these
results, modify and design the subsequent phases
· Australasia: Heron Island Research Station,
of targeted research.
the University of Queensland, Australia
(Representative: Professor Ove Hoegh-
Currently, most coral reef research is based in
Guldberg)
universities and research institutes in the developed
world, whereas most coral reefs are located
· Eastern Africa: University of Dar Es Salaam,
in developing countries. Rectifying this global
Marine Science Institute, Zanzibar, Tanzania
imbalance in knowledge and capacity is a key
(Representative: Dr Alfonse Dubi)
mission of the CRTR Program.
· Mesoamerica:
Universidad
Autónoma
Nacional de México, Instituto de Ciencias del
Mar y Limnologia, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
(Representative: Dr Roberto Iglesias-Prieto)
· South-East Asia: Marine Science Institute,
University of the Philippines, Philippines
(Representative: Professor Ed Gomez)
12

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The locations and institutions have been selected
Enhancing regional expertise
on the basis of signifi cant ongoing investments in
coral reef management and the existence of baseline
Through the Centers of Excellence in each of the
data and infrastructure ­ essential to carrying out
four regions, Working Group members will engage
coordinated research.
with other researchers from within the region, as well
as other Working Groups, and will jointly conduct
The Centers serve as a convening location for each
investigations, share knowledge and engage in
of the Working Groups, so that research can be
training opportunities with doctoral and post-
discussed and implemented with regional and local
doctoral students from participating developing
scientists in a collaborative spirit.
countries. Post-graduates are supported through
Each Working Group is conducting core elements
stipends and research scholarships.
of their investigations in at least two of the four
Based on experiences during the project
regional nodes during Phase 1. Research plans,
development phase, apprenticeship- type models
standard methods and capacity enhancement are
proved to be highly successful by combining
being coordinated to maximize the level of effort
world-class, seasoned researchers with younger
between as many of the sites and Working Groups as
post-doctoral and graduate students in a supportive
possible.
working environment. This brings international
Centers of Excellence will benefi t from equipment
expertise in the development and use of various
and facility upgrades, research scholarships to
techniques and investigative strategies that will
promote participation of developing country
provide opportunities for regional and local
graduate students and post-doctoral fellowships,
researchers to benefi t.
and support for local research priorities, developed
The Centers of Excellence will also serve as focal
in consultation with regional research interests and
points for the network of scientists to engage with
the Targeted Research Working Groups.
managers, NGOs, local stakeholders and other
interested groups. These groups will participate in
Experimental mesocosms, like these tanks (below) containing small coral replicate
targeted learning exchanges about management
samples, help control physical variables to better understand the underlying
and policy implications of the research and how
physiological mechanisms of various coral reef stressors, such as elevated
temperature, light radiation, nutrients, pollutants and other factors. This research
such coordinated information can be integrated into
was initiated during a 2002 coral bleaching workshop of the Targeted Research
practice. The meetings also present opportunities for
Program, and is being established at each of the Centers of Excellence.
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
the scientifi c community to learn and benefi t from
the knowledge of local stakeholders, especially those
who may possess traditional and local knowledge of
coastal and marine resources.
13

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Linking
Linking Scientifi c Knowledge to Management
The targeted research framework has been
By helping to inform management and policy with
designed to support managers, policy makers, and
the knowledge required for sound decision making,
other stakeholders, and the results generated will
the CRTR Program seeks to overcome an important
be formulated for application into management and
obstacle to effective management. Informed
policy contexts.
policies, coupled with investments to improve the
socio-economic welfare of coral reef-dependent
Over the course of the Program's implementation,
countries can only improve the prospects for the
the information and tools produced will be
conservation of the world's coral reefs.
disseminated as knowledge products to enhance
management approaches and interventions and
Synthesis Panel Members:
to inform policies that affect coral reefs at local,
· Nancy Knowlton, Chair, University of California
national and regional levels.
Scripps Institute of Oceanography, USA
· Nyawira Muthiga, Wildlife Conservation Society,
The Synthesis Panel
Kenya
The governing body for the CRTR Program is a
· Paul
Greenfi eld, Deputy Vice Chancellor,
guiding Synthesis Panel, which provides oversight
the University of Queensland, Australia
and direction to the targeted research program.
· Patricio Bernal, UNESCO Intergovernmental
The Panel, comprised of the Chairs from each of the
Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
Working Groups, representatives from each of the
Centers of Excellence, and additional professionals
Other members of the Synthesis Panel include
and scientists, steers the targeted research
the representatives from each of the Centers
framework, modifi es study designs and the focus of
of Excellence and the Chairs of the six Working
investigations, reviews results, and helps synthesize
Groups.
and interpret the data in formulating conclusions
and applications.
The Synthesis Panel serves as a key interface
in bringing coordinated scientifi c fi ndings into
discussion with other disciplines, such as economics
and law, and also assists the Working Groups in
reporting summary fi ndings to the scientifi c and
management communities, and to make policy
recommendations where appropriate.
A major benefi t of the CRTR Program is the interactions between coral reef
researchers in both developed and developing countries. Members of the RSWG
and RRWG discuss remote sensing images during a meeting in the Philippines.
Andy Hooten
14

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Local Government Initiative
Linking Program outputs and information to the
management and policy audiences is a critical
outcome for the CRTR Program. A local government
photo: Susan Siar
initiative (LGI) has been launched with the realization
· Partner with local governments to help bring
that, although coral reefs are under threat globally, it
their policies and business practices in line with
is actions at the local level which may determine the
those factors essential to maintaining coral reef
fate of any particular coral reef system.
health and productivity.
Local governments face a range of issues in
Key outputs emerging from the LGI include building
relation to coral reef management: a lack of public
capacity of mayors and local government units in
awareness about the range of human impacts on
the fundamentals of coastal urban management; a
reefs and their implications for community welfare;
compendium of good management practices for
lax enforcement and low levels of compliance with
coral reefs and their dissemination in user-friendly
regulations to protect reefs; destructive, illegal and
formats.
over-fi shing; pollution from untreated waste and
These practices include Integrated Coastal
surface run-off; lack of alternative income-generating
Management, Marine Protected Areas, guidelines
opportunities; absence of integrated planning and
on sustainable tourism, fi shing practices, waste
lack of funding.
management and controlling coastal erosion. The
The intent of the LGI is to reach out to local
rationale, methods, results and lessons learned from
government and communities associated with the
these practices have been drawn from around the
four COEs to share new knowledge about threats to
world and have been pre-tested with Mayors from
their coral reefs, what measures can be taken locally
the Philippines and shared with local government
to address these, and to jointly identify solutions.
leaders from Mexico, Cook Islands, Tanzania, Fiji,
Papua New Guinea, Hawaii and Australia.
Through the COEs, the LGI aims to:
· Raise awareness about good management
practices in their regions
· Interpret research fi ndings for the benefi t of local
resource managers
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Would you like to share our vision?
The CRTR Program aims to protect the integrity and sustainability of
coral reef ecosystems by bringing the best available science to bear
on management and policy decisions that affect their future and those
who depend on them. To do this, we are reaching beyond the scientifi c
community, to engage reef managers, local government and the Non-
Government Organization community.
We seek to expand our current partnerships by building new alliances
with private foundations and the corporate sector. Only by aligning
all these interests can we hope to achieve our goal of sustaining coral
reefs and the intricate web of life that they support.
More information: http://www.gefcoral.org
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Published by
The Coral Reef Targeted Research &
Capacity Building (CRTR) Program
Contact details
Postal address:
CRTR Program Project Executing
Agency, Centre for Marine Studies,
Gerhmann Building, The University
of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072,
Australia
Telephone: +61 7 3346 9942
Facsimile: +61 7 3346 9987
Email: info@gefcoral.org
Internet: www.gefcoral.org
World Bank
Environment Department
Telephone: +1 202 473 0291
Facsimile: +1 202 522 0367
Internet: www.worldbank.org/icm
Product code: CRTR 002/2007
Designed and Typeset by
ARDA, Canberra, Australia
www.arda.net.au CRT1162
© Coral Reef Targeted Research &
Capacity Building for Management
Program, 2007
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