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Year 1997 was last observed as International Year of Reef. IYOR 97 encouraged participation by 225 organizations in 50 countries and territories. More than 700 articles in papers and magazines were published. Further, scientific surveys were undertaken and numerous local and global organizations pledged their support to coral reef conservation.

Even after ten years of creating awareness about reefs and associated ecosystems, the desired results to conserve the reefs is not achieved. Hence, the International Coral Reef Initiative has designated year 2008 as the International Year of the Reef (IYOR 2008).

IYOR 2008 will:

• Strengthen awareness about the ecological, economic, social and cultural value of coral reefs and associated ecosystems
• Improve understanding of the critical threats to coral reefs and generate both practical and innovative solutions to reduce these threats
• Generate urgent action at all levels to develop and implement effective management strategies for conservation and sustainable use of these ecosystems.

ICRI IYOR 2008 Ad Hoc Committee

The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) IYOR Ad Hoc Committee

• actively advises, supports and provides guidance to the IYOR 2008 Coordinator in carrying out the ICRI IYOR 2008 Action Plan and accompanying activities.
• terms of reference for the committee were approved by ICRI at the Tokyo General Meeting in April 2007.
• the Committee is chaired by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on behalf of the ICRI Co-Secretariat.
• the Ad-Hoc Committee is composed of the following members:
  • Australia (government)
  • Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) (organization)
  • France (government)
  • Mexico (government)
  • International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) (organization)
  • Japan (government)
  • Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) (organization)
  • Philippines (government)
  • Reef Check (organization)
  • The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (organization)
  • UNEP Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) (organization)
  • USA (government)

Here is the map showing global distribution of coral reefs

Coral reefs are found throughout the oceans, from deep, cold waters to shallow, tropical waters. Temperate and tropical reefs however are formed only in a zone extending at most from 30°N to 30°S of the equator; the reef-building corals prefering to grow at depths shallower than 30 m (100 ft), or where the temperature range is between 16-32oc, and light levels are high.

Image Source:oceanservice.noaa.gov

Click here to know about corals.

Here are some photographs of corals

Here view an amazing video of Coral Reef Adventure

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