The international coral reef initiative: A strategy for the sustainable management of coral reefs and related ecosystems

Abstract

The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is a new and innovative strategy developed by countries and nongovernmental partners as a means to implement the recommendations on coral reefs and related ecosystems found in Agenda 21 and other international agreements. The ICRI uses a multilevel (international, national, regional, and local), participatory (both top‐down and bottom‐up) approach based on partnerships formed among many different sectors and stakeholders to promote capacity building, research and monitoring, and sustainable use and management of coral reefs and related ecosystems (mangroves and sea grass beds). The ICRI builds on the principles related to coastal zone management and sustainable development— partnership, integration, coordination, and participation. The ICRI has been effective in creating political will and momentum among many different sectors and facilitating the development of an international agenda with priorities for coral reefs. An analysis of ICRI's effectiveness to da...