The deteriorating condition of coral reefs around the world continues to be a source of grave concern. Improved monitoring data and detailed predictive studies presented at the International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Symposium (ITMEMS) indicate that, in the four years since the publication of the first International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Call to Action, the state of coral reefs and associated marine ecosystems has worsened significantly. This Call to Action identified improved coastal management practices, increased national and local capacity and political support, and the sharing of existing and new information as the preferred approach to reducing the threats to coral reefs and associated marine ecosystems. 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.

Since the first ICRI Workshop significant progress has been made in implementing the elements of the ICRI Call to Action and Framework for Action. This resulted from the action of many involved stakeholders and through many large and small efforts from the local to the global level. Governments of ICRI partners and non-government organisations (NGOs) raised the profile of coral reefs in the major international fora. Regional action plans have been developed in all regions of the world, and national and local coral reef initiatives were createdbased on the elements of the Framework for Action and ICRI regional strategies.

The International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Symposium (ITMEMS) provided a forum for the review and evaluation of ICRI implementation. Participants at ITMEMS reaffirmed the importance of reefs to their cultures, communities and economies, and the strong relationship between healthy reefs and the sustainable livelihoods of many sectors of society. Participants recognized the wide and shared responsibility of all stakeholders, and the need to continue and strengthen this progress in the face of clear evidence of increasing threats to coral reefs and related ecosystems.

Reaffirmation of the Call to Action and Framework for Action

The participants of ITMEMS reviewed the 1995 ICRI Call to Action and Framework for Action and reaffirmed their relevance and importance, reiterating the ICRI call for concerted action by the wide range of stakeholders to reduce the threats to coral reefs and related ecosystems.

Current Priorities

In reaffirming the Call to Action and Framework for Action, ITMEMS participants identified the following priority issues and recommended responses to amplify and strengthen the efforts of all in the ICRI partnership.

Response: Launch multi-faceted, global-to-local-level mass marketing awareness campaigns to change the behaviour of people.

Bridge the gap between global knowledge and local action through the creation of national coral reef initiatives.

Issue: Pollutants, including sediments and nutrients from land-based human activities, severely threaten the health of coral reef ecosystems.

Response: Develop and implement equitable, participatory, integrated coastal management that incorporates watersheds.

Issue: Destructive and unsustainable fishing practices such as cyanide, explosives, trawling and other forms of drag-netting, as well as over-exploitation, are destroying coral reefs and related ecosystems.

Response: Commit to eliminating fishing practices that are not demonstrably sustainable, by promoting effective enforcement, alternative methods and market incentives.

Issue: Activities of the private sector, including tourism and the trade of coral reef products, can protect or destroy coral reef ecosystems.

Response: Work with the private sector to foster appreciation of the value of coral reefs and encourage the private sector to use and protect coral reefs and related ecosystems in ecologically sustainable ways by introducing incentives, such as awards and accreditation for better environmental practices.

Issue: An ecosystem approach to management is needed to conserve and restore the values and functions of coral reefs and related ecosystems.

Response: Implement an integrated approach to management that includes effective marine protected areas, including no-take zones, as a vital component in managing human activities within larger biogeographic frameworks.

Response: Increase the confidence and capability of communities to sustainably manage and conserve resources through capacity building and validation of their traditional practices. Integrate traditional and modern approaches to management for effective results.

Issue: Projects have failed because they have not taken into account socioeconomic and cultural factors.

Response: Socioeconomic and cultural factors are essential components in developing community-based management programs, for tailoring management to local conditions, and for demonstrating the value of tropical marine ecosystems to policy makers and users.

Issue: Managers and communities are not getting the information and management tools they need to make sound management decisions.

Response: Create and use networks of knowledge-based management systems through networks of people, ideas and information to promote science-based management and public participation in that process.

Issue: Data produced by the GCRMN, Reef Check and other innovative programs have proven the value of monitoring to global reef assessment and local management, but more widespread monitoring is needed.

Response: Strengthen biophysical and socioeconomic monitoring efforts on all scales to improve management effectiveness. Secure long-term financing.

Issue: Lack of funding undermines actions to address threats to coral reefs, monitor their health, and assess the impact of management practices.

Response: Develop financing in a strategic manner at local, regional and international levels.

Issue: Coral reefs are the life support systems for the existence of small island developing states and many coastal communities of developing tropical countries.

Response: Urge governments that support the goals of ICRI to promote consideration of this report during the next session of the Commission on Sustainable Development as part of its review of Small Island Developing States, Oceans and Sustainable Tourism issues in 1999. The CSD is urged to recognise this vital relationship and support immediate and effective action to understand and address the threats to these ecosystems.

Urge governments to promote ICRI goals within the World Heritage and Ramsar Conventions, in implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Jakarta Mandate as well as other relevant international and regional instruments.

The Call

The participants in the International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Symposium, through their Renewed Call to Action, call upon governments, United Nations agencies, bilateral and multilateral financial institutions, scientists, NGOs, local communities and the private sector to implement the 1995 Call to Action and the Framework for Action, taking into account the Renewed Call to Action and working group Priority Actions produced at ITMEMS. Further, we call upon the global community to re-commit to urgent action to address the threats to coral reefs and tropical marine ecosystems.

Looking to the Future

The International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Symposium provided the opportunity to share management experience. This is reflected in these Proceedings. Less tangibly but equally importantly it is reflected in the development of a network of contacts for managers facing the day-to-day issues of conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs and related ecosystems.