Coral reef experts, government officials and NGO representatives met from 28 June to 2 July 2004 in Okinawa, Japan to address the protection of the world’s coral reefs.

Delegates considered several issues, including: remote sensing; new approaches to sustaining coral reef ecosystems and their fisheries; coral reef restoration and remediation; status of the world’s coral reefs; aquarium trade issues; underwater coral reef monitoring; designing effective coral reef marine protected areas; and the status of the world’s cold-water corals. In a final Declaration on Conservation and Restoration of Endangered Coral Reefs of the World, delegates recommended four key strategies for coral reef conservation: achieve sustainable fisheries; increase effective marine protected areas; ameliorate land-use change impacts; and develop technology for coral reef restoration. They also stressed improved cooperation among scientists, managers, policymakers, NGOs, and the general public, as well as with the International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS), the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and international organizations such as UNESCO, UNEP and IUCN. More information is available at: http://www.plando.co.jp/icrs2004/