ICRI General meeting participants at the Plantation Club, South Mahe. Photo ICRI

The meeting was opened by Mr Ronnie Jumeau, Minister for the Environment of the Seychelles, who welcomed all participants to this the 10th Anniversary of ICRI. The meeting was jointly chaired by John Roberts, (UK chair) and Rolph Payet ( Seychelles chair). Minister Jumeau noted with satisfaction the outstanding results achieved over the last two years of ICRI culminating in the ICRI side meeting at the United Nations Small Islands Developing States meeting held in Mauritius in January this year, that had been hosted by Seychelles’ President James Michel and opened by UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan. At the meeting, President Michel noted with concern in his opening speech, the continued plight of coral reefs and called “on the industrialised countries which have contributed overwhelmingly to the global warming that is helping to destroy our coral reefs to join international organisations in committing more funds to coral reef recovery and the management of protected areas”.

The meeting had a heavy workload to get through, made all the harder by the aftermath of the Tsunami that devastated much of the Northern Indian Ocean. Several members reported directly on the impacts in their communities and on their coral reefs. Over the course of the 3 days, the revised “Resolution on ICRI Operational Management Procedures” was adopted and a draft ICRI “Resolution on Artificial Coral Reef Restoration and Rehabilitation” was proposed. Pending comments, the latter would be adopted or not as indicated (a draft document is currently posted on the discussion forum for ICRI member’s comments). The meeting also endorsed the establishment of the ‘cold-water corals committee’ and, subject to comments over 14 days on the ICRI Forum, agreed to the proposed work programme. This new committee will report progress at the next ICRI Meeting. 

The Marine Protected Areas Working Group continued discussions as a means of communication and exchange of information. The Committee will develop yearly strategies to take full advantage of events such as CBD liaison group - Montecatini, UNOALOS, CZ05 and others. 

The meeting also agreed to act on six major issues:

• A Statement of ICRI’s “Global Vision for Local Action”

• That Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network undertake an update of the Status of Coral Reefs of the World, for countries affected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami

• The acceptance of three new members: Coral Cay Conservation, The Nature Conservancy and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community

• The date for the next ICRI General Meeting (31st October – 2nd November) 

• ITMEMS 3 will be held in October 2006 in Cozumel, Mexico. 

• ICRI was given the opportunity to present its views in response to an invitation to submit material to the ICP in the form of a letter and statement.

At the conclusion of the meeting the role of the Secretariat was formally handed on to Japan and Palau who will be jointly organising and hosted by the next ICRI meeting in Koror, Palau.