One of the lessons we have learned as a small non-profit organization with a global vision of saving the world’s reefs, is that we can’t do it alone. We maintain an efficient model in six international projects sites with just over a million dollars by cultivating partnerships. Our tagline, “Working Together to Keep Coral Reefs Alive,” reflects how deeply this belief is embedded in our methods.  ITMEMS Logo

We make marine protected areas more effective and involve local communities in the process. To make this happen we need the expertise and support from many different groups, from the community leader who understands how to propose a law within local customs, to a protected area manager who understands the needs of the local fishermen. We take each group’s expertise and sew it together to make an effective coral-saving model.

This October, we will be presenting at the third meeting of the International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Symposium (ITMEMS) held in Cozumel, Mexico. This meeting brings marine protected area managers from around the world together to share lessons learned and expand the network of tropical marine managers.

The symposium is the core activity of our partner, International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI); a partnership among governments, international organizations, and non-profits to preserve coral reefs through international conventions and agreements.

To learn in detail about the symposium’s courses, agendas, and objectives, visit the ITMEMS web site at www.itmems.org.