10 September 2012: A workshop held on 10 September 2012, in Jeju, Republic of Korea, addressed cost-effective ways to tackle challenges in community marine conservation. The event was convened the sidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, by the UN Environmental Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Blue Ventures, CORDIO and the Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMA) Network.

According to IUCN, the event titled “Managed Marine Areas: Towards A Global Learning Network” enabled representatives from LMMAs and regional LMMA networks to develop links between coastal communities, and explore best practices and lessons learned.

It also resulted in two motions to be forwarded for consideration by the IUCN Members Assembly at the Congress. The first motion calls on IUCN to dedicate further efforts and resources to advancing ecosystem-based adaptation in coastal areas. The second motion asks the IUCN Director General to promote awareness of LMMAs as a critical foundation for achieving global targets for marine protection.

The event was attended by LMMA managers from Colombia, Fiji, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea and Viet Nam. [IUCN Press Release]