Page 25 - Coral Reefs

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
Coral Reefs Rainforests of the Oceans Sphyrna lewini

World Heritage Convention (WHC)

Over 878 cultural and natural sites are now on the World Heritage List like the
Great Barrier Reef, Belize’s Barrier Reef and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park in the
Philippines. WHC requires member states to protect and conserve listed sites
for future generations.

Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD)

Focusing on “conservation of
biological diversity, sustainable use

Convention on of its components and a fair and
International Trade in equitable sharing of the benefits
Endangered Species of genetic resources”, CBD directs
(CITES) member states to implement
CITES provides trade strategies and create protected
protection for the areas to conserve biodiversity.
species listed under
various levels of threat.
It forbids trade of endangered species except in extraordinary
circumstances. Over 2000 coral reef associated species are listed
under CITES.

The Ramsar Convention
Ramsar Convention has been the principal instrument
for international cooperation for conservation and wise
use of wetlands. A large number of coral sites across
the world are yet to be
covered by the Ramsar Regional Initiatives
Convention.
Regional reef protection agreements
and coordination mechanisms have
Photo : Pete Atkinson/gettyimages
evolved to seek solutions to particular
threats that coral reefs face. Exciting
initiatives include; the Coral Triangle
Initiative (CTI), The South Asia
150 member countries of the Cooperative Environment programme
Convention on Biological Diversity (SACEP), Coastal Oceans Research
have committed to minimise the and Development in the Indian Ocean
anthropogenic pressures on coral (CORDIO), BoBLME (Bay of Bengal
reefs by 2015 so as to maintain Large Marine Ecosystem) and the
their integrity and functioning
(Aichi Target 10) Mangroves for the Future (MFF).

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