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fishing methods. As a consequence, the food security of<br />
those dependent on coral reef fisheries is compromised,<br />
thereby increasing the risks of poverty.<br />
There have been reports of coral bleaching in the<br />
past. However, the magnitude of the 1998 coral bleaching<br />
event, that resulted in massive death of corals in the<br />
Indian and Pacific Oceans and the Caribbean Sea, has<br />
never been reported before. Despite a strong correlation<br />
with extreme temperatures, the exact causes of coral<br />
bleaching are not entirely clear. Therefore, it is imperative,<br />
because of the importance of coral reefs for the<br />
food security and economy of human populations in<br />
tropical coastal and island communities of our globe,<br />
that understanding the reasons for coral bleaching be<br />
given the highest priority. Furthermore, there are<br />
general lessons to be learned from this mass mortality of<br />
corals as to the nature of stability and sensitivity of<br />
complex ecosystems. Such knowledge may prove<br />
invaluable in achieving sustainable development in a<br />
world experiencing widespread climatic change.<br />
This report provides timely and important information<br />
on the extent of coral mortality throughout the<br />
Indian Ocean. The data contained within the report will<br />
provide a valuable reference point that will enable us to<br />
determine the environmental and socio-economic<br />
consequences of the 1998 bleaching event. The findings<br />
of the report provide an important contribution to the<br />
design of future initiatives to alleviate ecological and<br />
socio-economic impacts of coral bleaching. The COR-<br />
DIO program fulfils an important role and merits full<br />
support.<br />
ARNE JERNELÖV<br />
Secretary General, FRN (The Swedish Council for Planning and Co-ordination of Research)<br />
INDU HEWAWASAM<br />
Environmental Specialist, World Bank<br />
ANDERS GRANLUND<br />
Head of Division, Sida (Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency)<br />
GÖRAN A. PERSSON<br />
Director, MISTRA (Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research)<br />
LARS KRISTOFERSON<br />
Secretary General, WWF-Sweden<br />
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