Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)

In the early 1990's, international agencies recognized that coral reefs were declining and formed the UNEP-IOC-IUCN-WMO global Task Team on the Implications of Climate Change on Coral Reefs. The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) was established subsequent to the ICRI Framework for Action, which called for increased coral reef monitoring. The GCRMN will function as a network of independent Regional Nodes that will coordinate training, monitoring and databases within participating countries and institutes in regions based on the UNEP regional Seas Programme. GCRMN and Reef Check joined forces in 1998 to expand the network of monitoring of coral reefs throughout the world.

The GCRMN has two distinct goals: gathering information on the status and trends in coral reefs around the world; and raising awareness amongst those who do the monitoring and receive the information on the need for immediate action to reduce the damaging impact of human activities. The data will be contributed to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) of the IOC to construct models of coastal ecosystems, as well as to the global Reef Base managed by ICLARM.

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000

State of Coral Reefs of the World: 1998
This first global report was published in November 1998 by the GCRMN, and is now available on the WWW at http://www.aims.gov.au/scr1998. This report is to be updated every two years, and planning for the next report is under way.

For further information, please contact:
Dr. Clive Wilkinson
Coordinator
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
c/o Australian Institute of Marine Science
PMB No. 3, Townsville MC 4810
Australia
Tel: +61 7 4772 4314
Fax: +61 7 4772 2808
E-mail: c.wilkinson@aims.gov.au

© 2000 - 2002 UNEP - CAR/RCU