Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000
This report is a tremendous example of what partnerships can do to protect and sustain
coral reefs worldwide. This historic document brings together scientific information from
around the world to provide the most comprehensive status report to date on the health of
the world’s coral reefs. The report is made possible by the efforts of nations, communities
and individuals from all over the world to monitor the health of coral reef ecosystems.
Without these monitoring programs, this report would not be possible, and we would be
severely limited in our ability to address the coral reef crisis. And these efforts are just the
beginning. We need more monitoring, research, management and education to adequately
track, and improve, the health of coral reefs around the world.
This report documents the continuing and disturbing decline in the health of the coral reefs
worldwide, which was initially expounded in the first report from the Global Coral Reef
Monitoring Network in 1998. Unfortunately, the report provides powerful new evidence that
coral reefs continue to be destroyed and degraded in many areas, threatening the very
existence of these valuable resources. Now the question is: what are we willing to do about it?
I am very pleased that the United States has been able to join with so many international
partners in efforts to protect coral reef ecosystems. I sincerely commend the International
Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), the sponsors
of this report, and all those who have supported efforts to monitor, manage and conserve
the world’s reefs.
The children of tomorrow have the right to experience the beauty and wonder of coral reef
ecosystems. I call on all of us – nations, societies and individuals – to act now to reduce the
threats to these remarkable ecosystems. We must ensure that this report marks the beginning
of a powerful new age of coral reef protection, not the sad ending to their very existence.
Al Gore
Vice President
United States of America
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