Facing New Challenges for Coral Reef Conservation: Addressing Mass Bleaching Events and Coral Diseases

COP16 Blue Zone Event
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Overview

The world’s coral reefs are facing unprecedented threats from mass bleaching events and coral diseases. This event, titled Facing New Challenges for Coral Reef Conservation: Addressing Mass Bleaching Events and Coral Diseases, will provide vital insights into the current status of coral reefs in regions such as Colombia, the Bahamas, Mexico, and the United States.

The focus of this event is to foster a collaborative dialogue between marine researchers, academia, and resource managers. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how coral communities in these countries are changing and how these changes are affecting reef functionality and the ecosystem services critical to coastal communities. By proposing innovative conservation and restoration strategies, the event seeks to contribute to the ongoing efforts to protect biodiversity and ensure the resilience of coral ecosystems.

At the end of this engaging panel discussion, participants will leave with actionable insights into locally applied conservation strategies and their potential for broader regional implementation.

Meet Our Invited Panelists

Raúl Navas Camacho (Colombia) – Scientific Researcher at INVEMAR. With over 20 years of experience, Raúl focuses on studying the impact of bleaching and coral diseases on Colombian reefs.
Valeria Pizarro (Colombia and The Bahamas) – Senior Scientist at the Perry Institute for Marine Science. Dr. Pizarro’s research emphasizes coral ecology, health, and reef restoration.
Lorenzo Alvarez Filip
Lorenzo Alvarez Filip (Mexico) – Researcher at Universidad Autónoma de México. His work centers on coral reef ecology, marine biodiversity, and conservation biology.
Karen Lynn Neely
Karen Lynn Neely (USA) – Lead researcher at the Disease Intervention Laboratory, Nova Southeastern University, focusing on coral diseases and in-situ treatment implementation.

Meet the Moderator: Dr. Craig Dahlgren

Dr. Craig Dahlgren
Dr. Craig Dahlgren is a renowned marine ecologist with extensive experience in tropical marine ecosystems. His research spans coral reefs, mangroves, and fishery dynamics, influencing marine management and policy throughout the Caribbean. Currently, Dr. Dahlgren focuses on expanding marine protected areas and restoring vital ecosystems in The Bahamas and beyond.

Event Information

The objective of this session is to provide an updated assessment of coral reef health and the impact of large-scale environmental disturbances on their ecosystem functionality. By focusing on both scientific research and practical conservation efforts, the panelists will share region-specific experiences and discuss how to address these pressing challenges through multi-sectoral collaboration. The interactive dialogue is designed to explore comprehensive strategies for conservation and restoration, vital for protecting marine biodiversity and sustaining ecosystem services for the well-being of local communities.
  • Date: October 22
  • Time: 11:00 – 1:00 EST
  • Location: ICRI #ForCoral Pavilion
  • Language: English
  • Important Note: Accreditation is required to attend this event. Unfortunately, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) are unable to assist with accreditation.

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