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To include your latest news on our site, please contact us (IOI-Australia) NEW COURSE ON MARINE PROTECTED AREAS The University of the South Pacific (USP), the International Ocean Institute- OceanLearn, USAID and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have joined in a partnership to develop and offer the MPA Management Capacity Building Training Program. This training program provides a knowledge base for developing local and regional capacity and expertise in designation, implementation and management of marine protected areas (MPAs). The training program provides individuals associated with the management of MPAs the opportunity to benefit from the experiences of other MPA practitioners that may have a longer history of management, and to share experiences, knowledge and lessons learned. The training program will be tailored to specifically meet the management training needs of newly designated MPAs in the Pacific Islands region.
Download Course Announcement - (click here)
Download Application Form (click here) Evaluation of Marine Protected Areas in the Pacific The need to place a value on MPAs, as highlighted by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) was the focus of a workshop held in Suva, Fiji from May 26-30, 2008. In the South Pacific the use of environmental economic valuation for conservation and resource management is not yet well developed, and faces challenges that include the need to take into account the small island context with limited economic options and very specific socio-cultural backgrounds. The Workshop on Economic Evaluation of MPAs in the Pacific Islands was sponsored by the Coral Reef Initiative for the South Pacific (CRISP) in collaboration with IUCN Oceania. Prof Robin South, IOI (Australia) and Dr Vina Ram-Bidesi (IOI-Pacific Islands) were among the 30 invited experts in attendance. The goals of the workshop were to discuss economic valuation adapted to Pacific needs and the development of tools to support investment decisions; to ensure efficient ownership by policy-makers; to increase the effectiveness and utility of economic tools; to identify sources to finance MPAs for managers and decision-makers, and to identify case studies that will be funded by CRISP in the coming year. Case studies from the South Pacific region were shared, including a joint presentation on the Economic Valuation of the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Areas by Robin South and Clive Wilkinson. The workshop concluded that baseline studies should be an integral part of the marine managed area creation process, and in assessing its success. The workshop also noted that the cost of doing nothing to protect and restore Pacific marine resources would be very high for local communities. The recommendations included the need for capacity building and raising awareness of local, national and regional decision makers. It was also noted that people should get a clear message on the values and the limitations of economic instruments when applied to the enhancement of marine resources for poverty reduction. For more information on the outcomes of the workshop contact Eric Clua: ericc@spc.int
International Year of the Reef 2008 Launched
More information can be found in the attached pdf document (IYOR press)
IOI announces new CEO during the Waves of Change!
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AN INTERNATIONAL NEWS conference is planned in Washington DC to herald in the International Year of the Reef on January 24. This will include a direct live communication from scientists in Bonaire, Netherland Antilles by telephone and the internet on new findings unearthed in their research. The launching of a report on the impacts of the 2005 coral bleaching events in the Caribbean will also be part of this event. The International Ocean Institute will be celebrating the Year of the Reef through various projects and initiatives currently underway. Please contact your nearest IOI centre on ways you can contribute to saving our reefs (see IOI website - 
Dr Cherdsak Virapat, Director, IOI-Thaliand will be the IOI’s new Executive Director, starting in May 2008. His appointment was announced following the meeting of IOI’s Governing Board held in Malta prior to the Pacem In Maribus XXXII Conference (PIM). Some 200 delegates attended PIM, held from November 5-8 at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard, Malta. The theme of the conference was "Waves of Change: Women, Youth and the Sea". Events included a Youth Ocean Parliament and a Women’s Ocean Caucus, and the Great Climate Change Debate, sponsored by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology. IOI (Australia) was represented by Dr Posa Skelton, Prof. Robin South, Prof. Russell Reichelt and Mr Damien Sweeney. Mr Dylan Furnell was Australia’s Youth delegate to the Conference and presented an outstanding talk. He also presented the Australian Youth Declaration at the Youth Ocean Parliament, and participated with other youth delegates in the presentation of the Youth Declaration at the PIM Closing Ceremony. The programme included a special session on the EU Maritime Policy, the Arvid Pardo Memorial Lecture and the Elisabeth Mann Borgese Lecture. A statue of Arvid Pardo was unveiled at the University of Malta Campus. The closing ceremony featured a launching of the Waves of Change Campaign, and the delivery of the Conference Declaration. An exhibition of children’s art was a feature at the conference venue.
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