Coral Reef Initiatives for the Pacific (CRISP): 2007- 2008
The coordination of the Coral Reef InitiativeS for the Pacific (CRISP) was inherited by IMR in 2007. CRISP embarked on a number of projects classed under the Component 2A: Status of the Coral Reefs and use of their Resources of the CRISP Program. There were a variety of projects based on the biological and socioeconomic aspect of coral reef management. The projects ranged from fish harvesting, identification to adoption of legislation to socio-economic surveys. Progress was made on the monitoring and survey of coral reef ecosystem by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) Southwest Pacific Node. This was evident in the publication of the Status of the Coral Reef Reports 2004 and 2007. A total of 9 research activities compromised student projects and consultancies were undertaken by CRISP in the year 2007.
IMR worked with the WorldFish Center (Malaysia) to launch the ReefBase Pacific Project. The ReefBase Pacific project aims to improve quality and accessibility of data and information on reef-associated livelihoods, fisheries and biodiversity. The project has generated internet, DVD and printed formats of the information to facilitate distribution and accessibility across a wide range of stakeholders and users. ReefBase Pacific is the first regional focus of the global ReefBase project and provides a unique collection of information for the Pacific region. This project is a component of the Coral Reef InitiativeS for the Pacific (CRISP), executed by the WorldFish Center and funded by the Agence Française de Développement and the United Nations Foundation.
Assessments for Aquarium Traders (2008-2009)
A coral assessment was conducted for Aquarium Fish Fiji to provide non-detriment findings for CITES listed coral species in the Beqa/Deuba reef areas. The team comprised SMS and IMR staff. As part of an EIA, a social study was conducted in Vatukarasa village (coral coast) – a site from which Walt Smith International harvests live rock for the aquarium trade.
Disaster Implementation in Tuvalu (2008)
The project aims to increase the resilience of targeted Tuvaluan communities by reducing the impacts of a disaster through risk reduction measures by incorporating traditional methods and where necessary merging these practices with modern scientific and technical knowledge. The activities comprise meeting and consulting traditional leaders, elders, government representatives and indigenous project communities; collecting and establishing baseline data; conducting community awareness raising and training workshops; fact finding consultative sessions and interviews with the indigenous communities beginning a participatory planning process and developing a community-based-disaster management plan; producing a video and manual in the local language; on-going monitoring and evaluation.
