International Year of the Reef 2008
The International Year of the Reef 2008 is a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and threats to their sustainability, and to motivate people to take action to protect them. All individuals, corporations, schools, governments, and organizations are welcome and actively encouraged to participate in IYOR 2008.
Last week, Rick MacPherson, CORAL’s Director of Programs, participated in the launching IYOR activities in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the January 25th symposium was to celebrate IYOR through a showcase of IYOR activities taking place around the world, and to allow ICRI (International Coral Reef Initiative) participants to meet, share, brainstorm, and coordinate regarding their IYOR plans. The symposium was open not only to ICRI Members, but other interested parties within the coral reef and marine community (e.g., ICRI participating organizations, the D.C.-based marine community, the press, etc).
The first IYOR was 10 years ago. As a founding organization of ICRI, CORAL served as the coordinator for the world-wide events. One of the highlights was Bonaire’s IYOR Ocean Week Festival. CORAL helped develop the concept for the International Year of the Reef Dive Festival, which has evolved into the Bonaire Dive Festival, the largest environmental diving event in the Caribbean. We are pleased to announce that this year the festival will again be celebrated in Bonaire in mid-June.