Events - 2008 Pacific Year of the Reef

Black Coral, FSM
Photo by Lance Laack.

The United Nations estimates the total economic value of coral reefs between US$100,000 to US$600,000 per square kilometre per year

Environment Week celebrations in Cook Islands included a recyclable art and sculpture competition. This was Tereora College's Angel Fish entry made from aluminium cans and plastic bottles. Photo by Cook Islands National Environment Service.

Events

September

Phase 2 of ‘challengecoralreef’ competition closes
Marine studies course for secondary schools begins in Fiji
Shark count by the Australian Underwater Federation begins in Melbourne (06/09-06/10)
19 th SPREP Meeting side event on PYOR08 (8-12)
3rd Steering Committee Meeting of the Pacific partnership on Sustainable Water Management in Samoa (10)
World Water Monitoring Day (18 September)
Coral Monitoring Session in Kosrae , Federated States of Micronesia begins (27/09-10/10)

October

Announcement of 'challengecoralreef' competition winner
IUCN World Conservation Congress in Barcelona, Spain (5-14)
‘Take the Right Route ’ in Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (10)
International Pacific Marine Educators Network Conference in Townsville , Australia (16-19)
International Youth Coastal Conference in Townsville , Australia (19-22)
Port Douglas IYOR Festival in Australia features underwater films, beach clean ups, educational fair, and futures forum (24-25/10)

‘Ridge 2 Reef Scavenger Hunt’ in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (25/10)
10th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention, Changwon, Republic of Korea (28/10-04/11)

PYOR Logo

What is the 2008 Pacific Year of the Reef?

The 2008 Pacific Year of the Reef camapign is a regional initiative facilitated by SPREP to incite action to save the Pacific's coral reefs. The campaign has three objectives:

Promote coral reef conservation initiatives
Promote behaviour change
Raise awareness of the economic value of coral reefs and their vital role in adapting to climate change

The campaign slogan of "Strong Reefs, Strong Islands" emphasises the close connection between healthy reefs and the integrity of the Pacific islands and societies.

SPREP encourages Members to adapt and implement appropriate regional activities or develop their own. Activities developed as part of the regional campaign aim to promote two key messages:

Coral Reef: Provider, Protector

and

Time for action

For more information on 2008 Pacific Year of the Reef, contact Caroline Vieux, SPREP Coral Reef Management Officer at [email protected] or Sereima Savu, SPREP Pacific Year of the Reef Campaign Coordinator, at [email protected].

Return to SPREP homepage.