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International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN)
[last updated February 2, 2006 12:18 PM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected TimeframeJune Pre 2002 - December 2012 |
Partners
Governments:
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Major Groups:
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UN System:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Global
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: American Samoa, Bangladesh, Belize, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mozambique, Netherland Antilles, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tokelau, Trinidad and Tobago, Viet Nam |
National Focal Points
This partnership has made contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the countries involved
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
The main objective of ICRAN is to halt and reverse the decline in health of the world 's coral reefs. ICRAN is an innovative and dynamic global partnership of many of the world's leading coral reef science and conservation organizations. The partnership draws on its partners' investments in reef monitoring and management to create strategically linked actions across local, national and global scales. ICRAN is thus the first partnership to respond to conservation needs at the global scale by recognizing both traditional and scientific perspectives of coral reef dynamics and respective social dependency. It seeks to put financial mechanisms in place that support the translation of findings into direct on-the-ground action throughout the world's major coral reef regions.
ICRAN is proposing:
* To expand its scope and its range of global partners
* To extend its field action to new regions (including three regional seas in the Indian Ocean area) not presently included in the network
* To focus on tourism by raising awareness on responsible holiday-making
ICRAN is proposing:
* To expand its scope and its range of global partners
* To extend its field action to new regions (including three regional seas in the Indian Ocean area) not presently included in the network
* To focus on tourism by raising awareness on responsible holiday-making
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsIn the context of new type initiatives for ICRAN: expansion of ICRAN to regions not presently covered, including South Asia (through SACEP), Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (through PERSGA) and the Gulf region (through ROPME), 2002-2005.
Informing the tourism industry/private sector in specific destinations about existing communication tools (January 2003 - June 2003). Providing specific training to the tourism sector on the most effective communication techniques to promote among their customers sustainable consumption messages particularly in relation to coral reef conservation (July 2003 - September 2004). Addition of new partners to the ICRAN network, including further non-governmental organizations and representatives of the private sector, by June 2003. Major expansion of ICRAN in response to a challenge matching grant of $5 million from the United Nations Foundation, 2002-2005. |
Progress against targetsThe action phase of the ICRAN partnership is in on schedule. All Partners planned project activities and outputs have been materially completed and Project Officers are satisfied that projects will be fully completed on time.
UNEP is assisting ICRAN to expand the partnership to additional Regional Seas Areas, the South Asia and Arabian Seas. In consultation with Regional Seas and others in the regions proposals for new activities are being developed for fundraising by consultants, which are co-funded by UNEP and the relevant Regional Seas. The consultancy for development of ICRAN proposals for the South Asian Seas region has been finalized. A compilation of ten proposals was received from the consultant and was accepted by all partners, i.e. SACEP, ICRAN, Regional Seas and UNEP, and it was agreed that the proposals would be further developed by the ICRAN Coordinating Unit, in collaboration with SACEP. Stakeholders from the region have produced a 'white paper' to introduce the region, give a background of marine resource management in the area, recognise existing work and established programmes and to identify the needs of the region. The first draft of the white paper has been produced and will hopefully be finalised in early 2004, when it will be used to undertake a more grounded and strategic plan of action. A similar path is being taken to develop proposals for the Arabian Seas region, and a consultant has now been engaged by UNEP to carry out this work for ICRAN. The International Coral Reef Action Network expanded its partnership in May 2003 with the addition of two new partners, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC). |
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Technology transfer/exchange
Training in coral reef management and protection is organized in each region through the regional partners. Public information support is provided by the International Coral Reef Information Network led by the Coral Alliance. Responsibility for data and information management is shared between ReefBase at ICLARM in Malaysia, and the UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Institutional strengthening is provided through ICRAN to those partners that need it, and to the ICRAN demonstration and target sites in specific coral reef areas. UNEP-DTIE with the regional partners provides the specific training to the tourism sector on the most effective communication techniques to promote among their customers sustainable consumption in relation to coral reef conservation.
Specific technology transfer in everything from diving to monitoring methods is provided to communities and managers at the field sites. Technology transfer for coral reef monitoring and remote sensing is being organized through the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, Reef Check and the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Coral Reef Sub-theme, all collaborating in ICRAN.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 gives specific priority to coral reefs in living marine resources management and protection, as well as its general provisions for integrated coastal management, climate change impacts, international and regional cooperation, and small islands. The Millennium Declaration refers to sustainable management of living species and natural resources, protection of the common environment through an ethic of conservation and stewardship, implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (which has a coral reef programme), and addressing the needs of small island developing States (many of which depend on coral reef resources).
ICRAN implements the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Framework for Action, and the action plans of the Regional Seas Programmes. It has close links with other on-going sustainable development activities of its many partners.
The tourism activity builds on the conclusions and commitments made by the tourism industry in the report prepared by the main trade tourism associations (IH&RA, WTTC, IFTO and ICCL) as part of the UNEP DTIE report series 'Industry as partner for sustainable development', issued in May 2002, to improve their efforts to communicate to their customers on sustainable development and sustainable holiday making. Furthermore, the tourism activity aims at promoting wider use of UNEP's communication tool kit on coral reef conservation for the tourism industry - 'It's my choice', developed in 2001, that contains four communication tools ready for printing to be used by tourism industry players as part of their communication strategy targeting customers. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
ICRAN implements the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Framework for Action, and the action plans of the Regional Seas Programmes. It has close links with other on-going sustainable development activities of its many partners.
The tourism activity builds on the conclusions and commitments made by the tourism industry in the report prepared by the main trade tourism associations (IH&RA, WTTC, IFTO and ICCL) as part of the UNEP DTIE report series 'Industry as partner for sustainable development', issued in May 2002, to improve their efforts to communicate to their customers on sustainable development and sustainable holiday making. Furthermore, the tourism activity aims at promoting wider use of UNEP's communication tool kit on coral reef conservation for the tourism industry - 'It's my choice', developed in 2001, that contains four communication tools ready for printing to be used by tourism industry players as part of their communication strategy targeting customers. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Preamble
Relevant Sections of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 Integration of economic, social and environmental objectives; Sectors and issues; Means of implementation
Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Poverty eradication ; Changing unsustainable patterns of consumption and production ; Protection and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development ; Sustainable development in a globalizing world ; Sustainable development of small island developing States ; Sustainable development for Africa ; Means of implementation
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipICRAN institutional arrangements include a high-level ICRAN Board for fundraising, a Steering Committee of all partners for coordination and implementation, and an ICRAN Coordinating Unit. Regional coordination is through the respective Regional Seas Programmes and their Coordinating Units, which build regional partnerships and oversee field activities at the local level. ICRAN is building a nested set of partnerships at the global, regional, national and local community levels, with mutual reinforcement between each of these levels.
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Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipThe implementing partners prepare progress reports to the ICRAN Coordinating Unit, UNEP and donors every six months. Periodic independent evaluations are also undertaken. Information is regularly provided on the ICRAN web site (www.icran.org) and an ICRAN newsletter is being produced twice a year.
Tourism is a major component of ICRANs work in all regions. Since the Johannesburg Summit, Partners met in Washington to discuss ICRANs work in the MBRS region. Talks have been held with UNEP DTIE regarding their strong relationship with tourism initiatives in the Caribbean region and translating these concepts to work in the Meso-American Barrier Reef System. The cooperative agreement for the Meso-American Reef Alliance Project has been signed, including a major tourism component. The official signing will be held in December with the Ministers of Environment from Guatemala and Belize and we are now working on developing integrated work plans with the partners to be submitted to USAID by the end of January. |
Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$: 8500000
Source(s): Foundations / charities
The ICRAN action phase was launched in June 2001 in a limited number of regions with a $5 million grant from the United Nations Foundation and counterpart contributions from the partners.Sufficient seed money was donated by UNF (US$5 million) and a further US$5 million has been offered by UNF on a matching basis. So far USAID have donated US$1.5 million for work in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef region and the Goldman Fund US$250,000, which have both been matched by UNF. The total amount of funds received so far has therefore reached US$8.5 million. |
Non-financial resources availableType(s):
Source(s):
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Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: 25000000
Source(s) already approached: ICRAN's interim funding target is $25 million, and in the longer term for the Global Coral Reef Fund revolving fund, $100 million. Support is being committed/expected from donor governments, international organizations, foundations, commercial sector and other donors. In parallel plans are being made to set up a Global Coral Reef Fund which will provide ongoing support, perhaps as a revolving fund, for the world's coral reefs during the period 2005 -2010 and beyond.
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Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s):
Source(s) approached and details:
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Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
The ICRAN expansion to the South Asian region was presented for endorsement at the Special Session of the Governing Council of the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP), 20-21 January in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The partnership between ICRAN and SACEP has been formally accepted.
Partners invited: Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environment Programme (PERSGA), Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME - Kuwait Action Plan)
The PERGSA and ROPME countries are in consultation with UNEP and ICRAN.
Further partners are being sought, including those representing local user communities and the private sector
Improved coral reef management leading to better reef health and benefits to local communities at specific priority sites in major coral reef areas around the world. Strengthened international and national support for coral reef action, and close collaboration among all the major international partners involved.
Raised tourist and tourism awareness on the responsible behaviour in coral reef destinations while on holiday. Tourists - most of the times - are unaware that certain actions may have negative impacts on coral reefs. These actions include walking on reef flats, throwing plastic bags in the water, use of water, to purchasing of endangered species as souvenirs and many more. The tourism industry (from hoteliers, to recreation providers, tourism information centres, park managers etc) can play a crucial role in raising this awareness by disseminating information on responsible behaviour.
Proposals for work in the area include components such as dive operator certification, linkages with other Caribbean initiatives (CAST, and Blue Flag), alternative livelihoods and private sector alliances e.g. with cruise ships in order to address the impact of cruise ship passengers other than directly from the ship (greening of supporting industries and chains, and tour operations). Proposals are intended to be in tandem with other conservation efforts to address the impact of the cruise industry tourism from organisation such as Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Conservation International (CI), WWF, The Ocean Conservancy (TOC). Work is also to be of a complimentary nature alongside other existing certification schemes e.g. Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST), best practices (PROARCA) and existing communication tools (UNEP DTIE `It's my choice').
Partners invited: Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environment Programme (PERSGA), Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME - Kuwait Action Plan)
The PERGSA and ROPME countries are in consultation with UNEP and ICRAN.
Further partners are being sought, including those representing local user communities and the private sector
Improved coral reef management leading to better reef health and benefits to local communities at specific priority sites in major coral reef areas around the world. Strengthened international and national support for coral reef action, and close collaboration among all the major international partners involved.
Raised tourist and tourism awareness on the responsible behaviour in coral reef destinations while on holiday. Tourists - most of the times - are unaware that certain actions may have negative impacts on coral reefs. These actions include walking on reef flats, throwing plastic bags in the water, use of water, to purchasing of endangered species as souvenirs and many more. The tourism industry (from hoteliers, to recreation providers, tourism information centres, park managers etc) can play a crucial role in raising this awareness by disseminating information on responsible behaviour.
Proposals for work in the area include components such as dive operator certification, linkages with other Caribbean initiatives (CAST, and Blue Flag), alternative livelihoods and private sector alliances e.g. with cruise ships in order to address the impact of cruise ship passengers other than directly from the ship (greening of supporting industries and chains, and tour operations). Proposals are intended to be in tandem with other conservation efforts to address the impact of the cruise industry tourism from organisation such as Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Conservation International (CI), WWF, The Ocean Conservancy (TOC). Work is also to be of a complimentary nature alongside other existing certification schemes e.g. Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST), best practices (PROARCA) and existing communication tools (UNEP DTIE `It's my choice').