Global Reef Expedition Webinar: Coral Reefs in the South Pacific

Coral Reefs in the South Pacific: Outlook from the Global Reef Expedition

The Pacific Ocean is home to around 27% of the world’s corals, spread out over vast areas. The remoteness of reefs and capacity constraints present unique challenges for Pacific States to gather scientific information.

The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation completed one of the largest coral reef studies in history: the Global Reef Expedition. Over the course of 10 years, the Expedition circumnavigated the globe aboard, surveying some of the most remote reefs on the planet.

Between 2012 and 2015 the Global Reef Expedition surveyed and mapped reefs in the Pacific Islands Region. Coral reef experts from around the world were joined by researchers from the region to conduct extensive coral, benthic and fish surveys. The results of this work represent a huge contribution to understanding of coral reefs in the region.

This Webinar will share the findings of this voyage in the Pacific Region, both wonderful and disturbing.

Both SPREP and KSLOF have endorsed Actions under the IOC Decade for Ocean Science. This webinar will provide a platform to explore science needs for the Pacific and to form future collaborations.

Agenda

Opening remarks from SPREP

Introduction to the Khaled Bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation and to the Global Reef Expedition

State of the Corals and Reef Fish in the South Pacific

Comparison of reefs in the South Pacific to reefs in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean

KSLOF resources available to use for conservation

Q&A – Discussion

Registration

We are holing the webinar from 11:00am – 12:30pm Western Samoa Time (UTC+13) on August 18, 2022, (which is 6:00pm – 7:30pm ET on August 17th, 2022). The webinar will be held in English, with French interpretation provided. For those who can not attend in person, the webinar will be recorded and made available online.

If you are interested in joining us for this online event, register here:

Ten Years of B.A.M.: Rooted in Partnership, Growing in Purpose

Ten years ago, the Bahamas Awareness of Mangroves (B.A.M.) program began with a simple but meaningful commitment: to connect Bahamian students with the mangrove ecosystems that shape and protect their island home.

Since 2015, B.A.M. has been implemented in partnership with Friends of the Environment, whose dedication to environmental stewardship in Abaco has made this program possible year after year. Together, we have worked alongside Patrick J. Bethel High School and Forest Heights Academy to bring hands-on mangrove science into classrooms and out into the field.

What makes ten years remarkable is not just longevity — it is consistency…

From Mangrove Mud to Meaningful Work: Desta’s J.A.M.I.N. Journey

Some students I remember for their grades, their quick answers, or a moment that made the whole class laugh. Others I remember for the way they stepped into the mangroves.

Desta was the kind of student who thrived outdoors. While some students hesitated at the edge of the mud, he walked right in. And when he inevitably got stuck — because everyone does — he didn’t get frustrated. He laughed. Covered in mud, holding mangrove propagules in his hands, he embraced the experience fully.

Even then, it was clear that he was connecting with the environment in a way that went beyond the lesson plan…

Coral Reefs in the South Pacific: Outlook from the Global Reef Expedition

Agenda

Registration

Related Posts

Ten Years of B.A.M.: Rooted in Partnership, Growing in Purpose

From Mangrove Mud to Meaningful Work: Desta’s J.A.M.I.N. Journey