Online meeting: How to prepare for the next coral bleaching event?
The scientific data concerning coral reefs is now very alarming. Under the current emissions scenario, all 29 World Heritage-listed reefs are expected to experience annual severe bleaching from 2040. This month’s online meeting with marine World Heritage managers will highlight the best practices and latest innovations to monitor, prepare for and manage coral bleaching.
The latest IPCC report warns ocean warming and marine heatwaves will cause the loss and degradation of coral reefs and “widespread decline” of coral reef ecosystems. Furthermore, reefs are bleaching far more rapidly than the initial science suggested.
While the causes of coral bleaching are beyond the direct influence of local management, reef managers have important roles to play before, during, and after bleaching events.
On 13 July, the World Heritage marine managers’ online meeting will feature three experts who will share global insights on coral bleaching preparedness. Dr. Derek Manzello (NOAA Coral Reef Watch) will introduce the current state of play of coral bleaching, as well as insights into using the NOAA Coral Reef Watch to monitor coral bleaching. Meanwhile, Ms. Caitlin Lustic (The Nature Conservancy) and Dr. Yimnang Golbuu (Palau International Coral Reef Centre) will highlight management actions that marine World Heritage sites use to monitor and manage coral bleaching events.
Managers from the Great Barrier Reef and the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage sites will share practical lessons learnt from their long standing expertise in bleaching monitoring and management programmes.
Featured Marine World Heritage Site Managers and Experts
Dr. Yimnang Golbuu, Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC)
Yimnang is CEO of the PICRC. Before becoming CEO, he was the Center’s Chief Researcher, focusing on Marine Protected Areas, relationship between land use change and coral reefs and impacts of climate change on coral reefs of Palau and the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon World Heritage site.
Ms. Alicia Eck-Nunez, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
Alicia is a Fisheries Officer at the Belize Fisheries Department currently holding the post of Marine Reserves Operations Manager. She has been working with the Department for over 18 years. Her primary responsibility is to oversee the overall management of the marine reserves in Belize, through liaising with the managers and staff.
Dr. David Wachenfeld, Great Barrier Reef
David is the Chief Scientist at the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority. Over 25 years, he has covered a diverse range of marine park management challenges, particularly adapting marine park management to climate change. He has dived on coral reefs all around the world, conducting research, taking photographs, teaching people and working to protect the environment
Dr. Derek Manzello, NOAA Coral Reef Watch
Derek is Coordinator of NOAA's Coral Reef Watch program, an effort focused on monitoring coral reef ecosystems through satellite and in situ observations. He has published on multiple topics in coral reef ecology, however his primary research interest is in understanding the impact of climate change and ocean acidification to coral reef ecosystems.
Ms. Caitlin Lustic, The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Caitlin is the South Florida Marine Conservation Manager for TNC. In her 12 years at TNC, she has worked primarily on coral reef restoration and conservation efforts, including leading the Florida Reef Resilience Program, a group that developed and oversees the implementation of Florida’s Coral Bleaching Response Plan.
Several times per year, UNESCO's World Heritage Marine Programme provides an exclusive online platform where managers from the 50 marine World Heritage sites connect and share practical successes in tackling key conservation challenges.
Due to their status as the world’s flagship marine protected areas, marine World Heritage sites are uniquely positioned to drive change and innovation, set new global standards in conservation excellence, and serve as beacons of hope in a changing ocean. The online meetings are made possible thanks to the support of the French Biodiversity Agency and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Participation is upon invitation only.
