Dear Colleagues,

We, the Local Organizing Committee, invite you to join us in participating in the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium to be held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County (Florida) Convention Center, July 7-11, 2008.

Every four years the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) convenes as a major scientific conference to provide the latest knowledge about coral reefs worldwide. Natural scientists, resource managers and users, conservationists, economists, and educators meet together to advance coral reef science, management, and conservation. The International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS), the largest society focused on coral reefs worldwide, officially sanctions ICRS meetings.

The United States and Florida will co-host the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in July 2008 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. (It has been over 30 years since the ICRS was held on the U.S. mainland.) Stakeholders, including reef scientists, managers, conservationists, fishers, and divers, will find an opportunity at the 11th ICRS in 2008 to assimilate the most recent and best scientific information available about these precious and irreplaceable natural resources. The Symposium’s goal is better understanding of coral reef ecosystems and consequently effective conservation and management strategies. The Symposium will promote the dissemination of knowledge about reef sustainability and resilience, particularly important to many nations who depend upon coral reefs for their economy and food supply. The U.S. and South Florida venue will also provide convenient access for experts and policymakers to mutually visit and study reef systems in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Meso-America, and Eastern Pacific. Over 2,500 attendees are expected from the U.S. and international marine science, management, and conservationist communities.

REEFS FOR THE FUTURE is the scientific theme of the Symposium, highlighting one of the most important international treasures: coral reefs. Degradation due to factors including pollution, overfishing, and climate change, threaten destruction of these ecosystems on an unprecedented global scale. Scientists, policymakers, conservationists, and managers are exercising leadership in developing knowledge and implementing science-based strategies to address the crisis. Key concepts of coral reefs, including reef structure and function, pattern and process, ecosystem-based management, and human interactions, will be a focus of the meeting program. Plenary speakers will summarize current scientific knowledge about reefs. Mini-Symposia and field workshops will be thematic, question driven, and define specific science-based outcomes as well as management strategies. Field trips to diverse reef types will help illustrate specific reef types, environmental problems, and management successes. The results of the 11th ICRS will be timely and readily accessible in a variety of web-based, CD, and traditional formats.

We look forward to seeing you at 11th ICRS 2008 and your participation in the meeting.

Sincerely,


Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D, Chair
on behalf of the Local Organizing Committee

Photo credits: David Gilliam

Webmaster: Kevin Kohler, NCRI, NSUOC



The ICRI International Year of the Reef 2008 (IYOR 2008) will be a year-long campaign of events and initiatives hosted by governments and non-governmental organizations around the world to promote conservation action and strengthening long-term constituencies for coral reef conservation. Any individuals, corporations, schools and organizations are welcome and actively encouraged to participate in the IYOR 2008.
Focal point: "Francis Staub" <info barney iyor fred org>