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Introduction
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Guam Celebrates International Year of the Reef 2008
Ten years ago 1997 was declared the International Year of the Reef (IYOR). This was i
n response to the increasing threats and loss of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, such as
mangroves and sea grasses. IYOR was a global effort to increase awareness and understanding about
coral reefs, and support related conservation, research and management efforts.
IYOR 97 proved to be very successful with: over 225 organizations in 50 countries and territories
participating, over 700 articles in papers and magazines generated, hundreds of scientific surveys
undertaken, and gave rise to new marine protected areas as well as numerous local and global coral
reef conservation dedicated organisations.
Recognizing that ten years later there continues to be an urgent need to increase awareness and
understanding of coral reefs, and to further conserve and manage valuable coral reef and associated
ecosystems, the International Coral Reef Initiative designated 2008 as the International Year of the Reef
(IYOR 2008). (http://www.iyor.org/)
Guam will celebrate with a variety of events and activities that will help raise awareness of the value and
fragility of Guam's valuable coral reef resources.
The goals of the Guam IYOR08 campaign are the following:
• Strengthen awareness about Guam’s ecological, economic, social and cultural value
of coral reefs and associated ecosystems;
• Improve understanding of the critical threats to Guam’s coral reefs and generate both
practical and innovative solutions to reduce these threats (focus on Local Action
Strategies with a community based ecosystem management approach).
• Generate urgent action at all levels to develop and implement effective management
strategies for conservation and sustainable use of these ecosystems.
Ten years ago 1997 was declared the International Year of the Reef (IYOR). This was i
n response to the increasing threats and loss of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, such as
mangroves and sea grasses. IYOR was a global effort to increase awareness and understanding about
coral reefs, and support related conservation, research and management efforts.
IYOR 97 proved to be very successful with: over 225 organizations in 50 countries and territories
participating, over 700 articles in papers and magazines generated, hundreds of scientific surveys
undertaken, and gave rise to new marine protected areas as well as numerous local and global coral
reef conservation dedicated organisations.
Recognizing that ten years later there continues to be an urgent need to increase awareness and
understanding of coral reefs, and to further conserve and manage valuable coral reef and associated
ecosystems, the International Coral Reef Initiative designated 2008 as the International Year of the Reef
(IYOR 2008). (http://www.iyor.org/)
Guam will celebrate with a variety of events and activities that will help raise awareness of the value and
fragility of Guam's valuable coral reef resources.
The goals of the Guam IYOR08 campaign are the following:
• Strengthen awareness about Guam’s ecological, economic, social and cultural value
of coral reefs and associated ecosystems;
• Improve understanding of the critical threats to Guam’s coral reefs and generate both
practical and innovative solutions to reduce these threats (focus on Local Action
Strategies with a community based ecosystem management approach).
• Generate urgent action at all levels to develop and implement effective management
strategies for conservation and sustainable use of these ecosystems.