The Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Management (CRTR) Program is a leading international coral reef research initiative involving some 40 institutions and 60 scientists from around the world working to improve the knowledge base for management of the world’s coral reefs. The objectives are to fill critical gaps in our understanding of what determines coral reef ecosystem vulnerability and resilience to a range of stressors — from climate change to localized human stress — and to use this knowledge to strengthen management and policy globally for the benefit of coral reefs and the communities that depend on them. A related objective is to build capacity for science-based management of coral reefs in developing countries where the majority of reefs are found. This will be achieved through targeted investigations involving networks of scientists and managers, and the dissemination of knowledge within and across regions. The program supports four Centers of Excellence in major coral reef regions of the world: Mesoamerica (UNAM, Marine Science Institute, Puerto Morelos, México); Southeast Asia (Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, and Bolinao Marine Research Station, the Philippines); East Africa (Institute of Marine Science, Zanzibar, Tanzania); and Australasia (Centre for Marine Studies, University of Queensland and Heron Island Marine Research Station, Australia).

The CRTR Program is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the World Bank through a five-year grant. NORDECO is providing a team leader for an international team of consultants, who will conduct an independent evaluation of the program during March and April 2008.

CRTR website: www.gefcoral.org

Photo: Narve Rio      Copyright © 2008