United States, NOAA

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems, providing a source of income, food and coastal protection for millions of people. Pollution, habitat destruction, disease and unsustainable fishing have led to declines in reef condition throughout the world. Added to this, the threat of mass coral bleaching has recently emerged, causing extensive coral mortality to nearly every coral reef region.

The tsunamis of Sunday 26 December 2004 struck without apparent warning on a clear day. Not only was there a devastating loss of life, but coastal resources and infrastructure in the Indian Ocean suffered massive destruction as well. This book focuses on the impacts on the natural coastal resources, especially the coral reefs and associated ecosystems, and the responses by the international community.

The principles and guidelines developed by IUCN and NOAA are addressed to marine protected areas and coastal managers and are intended to promote better understanding and recognition of the linkages between MPAs and the wider coastal and marine area and of the need to establish effective incentives and institutional arrangements to manage marine protected areas in the broader context of integrated coastal and ocean management frameworks.

IUCN, WWF and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have developed this guidebook to assist marine protected area (MPA) managers in assessing the performance of their MPA. Based on this assessment, it shows how necessary changes can be made to improve management measures.

Coral reef management has focused traditionally on the biophysical aspects of coral reefs, but today reefs are coming under increasing pressures from human activities. Understanding the socioeconomic context of reef stakeholders is essential for assessing, predicting and managing reef use. This manual will assist coral reef managers around the world in making basic socioeconomic assessments in their communities.