12. Sp o n s o r i n g Or g a n i s at i o n s, Co r a l ReefPr o g r a m s a n d Mo n i t o r i n g Ne t wo r k sAFD - AGENCE FRANÇAISE DE DÉVELOPPEMENTThis French government agency contributes to the economic <strong>and</strong> social development <strong>of</strong> more than 80 develop<strong>in</strong>gcountries <strong>and</strong> the French overseas departments <strong>and</strong> territories. Total commitments <strong>in</strong> <strong>2005</strong> were Euro 1601million. It is both a public establishment <strong>and</strong> a specialized f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>stitution, <strong>and</strong> is responsible for projectfund<strong>in</strong>g operations as part <strong>of</strong> France’s <strong>of</strong>ficial development assistance. AFD provides f<strong>in</strong>ancial assistance forpublic <strong>and</strong> private projects <strong>in</strong> many sectors, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g: water resources; f<strong>in</strong>ance; urban <strong>and</strong> rural development;<strong>in</strong>frastructure, energy <strong>and</strong> environment; <strong>and</strong> access to social services (health, education). AFD cooperates withother fund<strong>in</strong>g agencies e.g. the World Bank, European Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank, theEuropean Commission, <strong>and</strong> adm<strong>in</strong>isters the French GEF Secretariat (French Global Environment Facility),which <strong>in</strong>tegrates environmental considerations with<strong>in</strong> development programs. After the <strong>in</strong>itial focus onrenewable resources management (fisheries, forestry, rangel<strong>and</strong>s) <strong>and</strong> terrestrial environmental programs(protected area management), AFD now <strong>in</strong>cludes mar<strong>in</strong>e ecosystems <strong>in</strong> its portfolio <strong>and</strong> launched the FrenchCoral Reefs Initiative for the South Pacific (CRISP) <strong>in</strong> 2004. Contact: Dom<strong>in</strong>ique Rojat, AFD Paris; rojatd@afd.fr; www.afd.fr.AGRRA – ATLANTIC AND GULF RAPID REEF ASSESSMENTInternational scientists <strong>and</strong> managers collaborate via AGRRA to determ<strong>in</strong>e the regional condition <strong>of</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> <strong>in</strong> the<strong>Caribbean</strong> <strong>and</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico us<strong>in</strong>g a rapid assessment protocol. AGRRA has provided basel<strong>in</strong>e data on <strong>coral</strong>reef health by visual assessments <strong>of</strong> stony <strong>coral</strong> cover, mortality <strong>and</strong> recruitment, macroalgal <strong>in</strong>dex, Diademadensity, abundance <strong>and</strong> size <strong>of</strong> key fish families. Consistency among observers is obta<strong>in</strong>ed with tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>gworkshops. Between 1997 <strong>and</strong> 2004, AGRRA-sponsored surveys were made at 819 reef sites throughout theWestern Atlantic: Bahamas, Belize, Bonaire, Brazil, British Virg<strong>in</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>s, Curaçao, Cayman Isl<strong>and</strong>s, Costa Rica,Cuba, Dom<strong>in</strong>ican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, St. V<strong>in</strong>cent, Turks <strong>and</strong> Caicos, US Virg<strong>in</strong>Isl<strong>and</strong>s, US Florida <strong>and</strong> Flower Garden Banks, W<strong>in</strong>dward Netherl<strong>and</strong>s Antilles, <strong>and</strong> Venezuela. Survey data (asAccess files) <strong>and</strong> summary products (as Excel <strong>and</strong> ArcView files) are posted onl<strong>in</strong>e at www.agrra.org. Specialissue #496 <strong>of</strong> the Atoll Research Bullet<strong>in</strong> conta<strong>in</strong>s the results <strong>of</strong> the first 20 areas assessed <strong>and</strong> a synthesis <strong>of</strong> theearly f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs. Contact: <strong>in</strong>fo@agrra.org.ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR CORAL REEF STUDIESThe Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence for Coral Reef Studies was established <strong>in</strong> <strong>2005</strong> tobuild the scientific knowledge that underp<strong>in</strong>s susta<strong>in</strong>able management <strong>of</strong> <strong>coral</strong> reef resources. Headquarteredat James Cook University, the ARC Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence fosters strong collaborative research l<strong>in</strong>ks between itspartners <strong>in</strong> 31 countries. A primary goal <strong>of</strong> the Centre is to develop <strong>and</strong> undertake reef research programs <strong>of</strong><strong>in</strong>ternational significance that transcend traditional discipl<strong>in</strong>ary, <strong>in</strong>stitutional <strong>and</strong> geographic boundaries. TheCentre’s researchers undertake fieldwork throughout the Indo-Pacific <strong>and</strong> <strong>Caribbean</strong>. The Centre’s goal is tobuild human capacity <strong>and</strong> expertise <strong>in</strong>ternationally. The ARC Centre is the worlds’ largest provider <strong>of</strong> graduatetra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>coral</strong> reef science, with over 100 graduate students from more than 20 countries. Research activities<strong>in</strong>form reef <strong>in</strong>dustries, governments, development agencies, <strong>and</strong> NGOs worldwide. The Centre’s website providesl<strong>in</strong>ks to over 400 recent publications <strong>and</strong> a variety <strong>of</strong> educational material <strong>and</strong> research services. Contact:Terry Hughes, <strong>in</strong>fo@<strong>coral</strong>coe.org.au; ARC Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University,Townsville, Queensl<strong>and</strong> 4811, Australia. www.<strong>coral</strong>coe.org.au135
<strong>Status</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Caribbean</strong> Coral Reefs <strong>after</strong> Bleach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> Hurricanes <strong>in</strong> <strong>2005</strong>CARICOMP - CARIBBEAN COASTAL MARINE PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAMThis network <strong>of</strong> <strong>Caribbean</strong> mar<strong>in</strong>e laboratories, parks <strong>and</strong> reserves has been operat<strong>in</strong>g s<strong>in</strong>ce 1986 with thesupport <strong>of</strong> IOC-UNESCO, the Macarthur Foundation, <strong>and</strong> the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. CARICOMP monitorslong-term variation <strong>in</strong> ecosystem structure <strong>and</strong> function<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>coral</strong> <strong>reefs</strong>, seagrasses, <strong>and</strong> mangroves accord<strong>in</strong>gto st<strong>and</strong>ardised protocols <strong>in</strong> relatively undisturbed sites. The network also responds to regional events such as<strong>coral</strong> <strong>bleach<strong>in</strong>g</strong> events <strong>and</strong> <strong>hurricanes</strong>. The <strong>Caribbean</strong> Coastal Data Centre at the University <strong>of</strong> the West Indies<strong>in</strong> K<strong>in</strong>gston, Jamaica archives the data <strong>and</strong> makes them available. CARICOMP contributes data to ReefBase<strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>itiated the GCRMN <strong>in</strong> the <strong>Caribbean</strong>. In 2000, CARICOMP designed <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>itiated several sub-regionalresearch projects, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g studies <strong>of</strong> larval l<strong>in</strong>kages <strong>and</strong> <strong>coral</strong> diseases, related to long-term management <strong>and</strong>restoration <strong>of</strong> <strong>Caribbean</strong> coastal ecosystems. The CARICOMP program networks <strong>in</strong>stitutions <strong>in</strong> 16 countries:Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Isl<strong>and</strong>s, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dom<strong>in</strong>ican Republic,Jamaica, Mexico, Netherl<strong>and</strong>s Antilles, Panama, Puerto Rico, Tr<strong>in</strong>idad <strong>and</strong> Tobago, <strong>and</strong> Venezuela. Contacts:John Ogden, jogden@mar<strong>in</strong>e.usf.edu; Dale Webber, Centre for Mar<strong>in</strong>e Sciences, UWI, Jamaica, dale.webber@uwimona.edu.jm; Marcia Creary, <strong>Caribbean</strong> Coastal Data Centre, Jamaica, Marcia.Creary@uwimona.edu.jm;www.uwimona.edu.jm/centres/cms/caricomp/.CBD - CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITYBiological diversity, the variability among liv<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>and</strong> the ecosystems that support them, is thefoundation upon which human civilizations have been built. Susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g biodiversity, <strong>in</strong> the face <strong>of</strong> considerablethreats from human activities, constitutes one <strong>of</strong> the greatest challenges <strong>of</strong> the modern era. The Conventionon Biological Diversity (CBD), an <strong>in</strong>ternational legally b<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g treaty, arose from the Earth Summit <strong>in</strong> Riode Janeiro <strong>in</strong> 1992 <strong>and</strong> has 190 Parties—virtually universal participation. The objectives <strong>of</strong> the CBD are: theconservation <strong>of</strong> biological diversity; the susta<strong>in</strong>able use <strong>of</strong> its components; <strong>and</strong> the fair <strong>and</strong> equitable shar<strong>in</strong>g<strong>of</strong> the benefits aris<strong>in</strong>g out <strong>of</strong> the use <strong>of</strong> genetic resources. The Convention sets out broad commitments byParties to take action at the national level for the conservation <strong>and</strong> susta<strong>in</strong>able use <strong>of</strong> biological diversity.S<strong>in</strong>ce enter<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to force, the Parties have translated the Convention <strong>in</strong>to programmes <strong>of</strong> work, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g theJakarta M<strong>and</strong>ate on mar<strong>in</strong>e <strong>and</strong> coastal biological diversity. The elaborated programme <strong>of</strong> work on mar<strong>in</strong>e <strong>and</strong>coastal biological diversity addresses <strong>coral</strong>-reef issues through specific work plans on <strong>coral</strong> <strong>bleach<strong>in</strong>g</strong> as well asthe physical degradation <strong>and</strong> destruction <strong>of</strong> <strong>coral</strong> <strong>reefs</strong>, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g cold-water <strong>coral</strong>s. Contact: Jihyun Lee, CBDSecretariat, Montreal, Canada, jihyun.lee@cbd.<strong>in</strong>t or www.cbd.<strong>in</strong>tCI - CONSERVATION INTERNATIONALCI is a global, field-based environmental organisation that promotes the protection <strong>of</strong> biological diversity.Work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> more than 30 countries over 4 cont<strong>in</strong>ents, CI applies <strong>in</strong>novations <strong>in</strong> science, economics, policy<strong>and</strong> community participation to protect the Earth’s richest regions <strong>of</strong> plant <strong>and</strong> animal diversity. The Mar<strong>in</strong>eRapid Assessment Program (RAP) <strong>of</strong> the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science at CI organizes scientificexpeditions to document mar<strong>in</strong>e biodiversity as well as freshwater <strong>and</strong> terrestrial biodiversity hotspots, <strong>and</strong>tropical wilderness areas. Their conservation status <strong>and</strong> diversity are recorded us<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dicator groups (molluscs,<strong>coral</strong>s <strong>and</strong> fish), <strong>and</strong> the results are comb<strong>in</strong>ed with social, environmental <strong>and</strong> other ecosystem <strong>in</strong>formation toproduce recommendations for protective measures to local communities <strong>and</strong> decision-makers. The ma<strong>in</strong> focus<strong>of</strong> Mar<strong>in</strong>e RAP surveys has been the ‘<strong>coral</strong> triangle’ <strong>in</strong> Southeast Asia, which conta<strong>in</strong>s the richest coastal <strong>and</strong>mar<strong>in</strong>e biodiversity <strong>in</strong> the world. Contact: Leah Bunce, Conservation International, 1919 M St. NW, Wash<strong>in</strong>gton,DC 20036 USA; www.biodiversityscience.org <strong>and</strong> www.conservation.org, l.bunce@conservation.orgCORAL - THE CORAL REEF ALLIANCECORAL is a member-supported, nonpr<strong>of</strong>it organization based <strong>in</strong> California that is dedicated to protect<strong>in</strong>g thehealth <strong>of</strong> <strong>coral</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> by <strong>in</strong>tegrat<strong>in</strong>g ecosystem management, susta<strong>in</strong>able tourism, <strong>and</strong> community partnerships.By target<strong>in</strong>g mar<strong>in</strong>e recreation providers, <strong>coral</strong> park managers, <strong>and</strong> other community stakeholders, CORAL’sprograms build cooperative solutions to the challenges fac<strong>in</strong>g <strong>coral</strong> reef dest<strong>in</strong>ations around the world.Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, technical assistance, <strong>and</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial resources provide the basis for build<strong>in</strong>g cooperative managementstrategies, susta<strong>in</strong>able tourism, <strong>and</strong> community led conservation projects that improve the health <strong>of</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> <strong>and</strong>the susta<strong>in</strong>ability <strong>of</strong> reef tourism. In addition, CORAL builds public awareness about <strong>coral</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> through variousoutreach programs, such as the highly acclaimed Dive In To Earth Day. Together, CORAL <strong>and</strong> its partners arework<strong>in</strong>g hard to keep <strong>coral</strong> <strong>reefs</strong> alive. Contact: Brian Huse, bhuse@<strong>coral</strong>.org; www.<strong>coral</strong>.org136