Status of coral reefs of the world : 2002

27% of the world's coral reefs have been lost and 14% are predicted to be destroyed in the next 10 to 20 years. These are the predictions of the world's most authoritative document on the health of reef systems. Released by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), a consortium of major reef monitoring groups in the world, in partnership with IUCN - The World Conservation Union and others, the new report reveals an erratic pattern of damage and recovery worldwide. Because of increased international commitment to address the causes of coral degradation, such as dynamite fishing and sedimentation, some reef systems around the world are slowly recovering. This new report maps recovery patterns the world over.