photo © Tara Expeditions
The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is an informal partnership between governments and organizations striving to preserve coral reefs and related ecosystems around the world. Although the Initiative’s decisions are not binding, its actions have been pivotal in continuing to highlight globally the importance of coral reefs and related ecosystems to environmental sustainability, food security and social and cultural wellbeing.
The Initiative has an important cooperation, collaboration and advocacy role within the international arena. ICRI emerged from the recognition that coral reefs and related ecosystems in tropical and sub-tropical regions are facing serious degradation, primarily due to anthropogenic stresses.
Many nations face similar threats to coral reefs and related ecosystems as well as similar management problems.
ICRI’s objectives are to encourage the adoption of best practices in sustainable management of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, build capacity, and raise awareness at all levels on the plight of coral reefs around the world. ICRI adopted a ‘Call to Action’ and a ‘Framework for Action’ as its foundational documents. Both set the four cornerstones of ICRI: Integrated Management, Science, Capacity Building, and Review.