Background

Brief History of CORDIO

Coral reefs are highly productive and sustain the livelihoods and the well-being of local communities throughout the wider Indian Ocean region, by providing fish and other edible species and valuable natural resources. In addition healthy coral reefs attract tourists and protect coastlines against coastal erosion. The coral reefs of the Indian Ocean are under severe pressure from climate change and a number of human activities that have degraded their condition. As a consequence there is a decline in the availability of fish and other resources throughout the Indian Ocean.

The CORDIO project is focused on research and monitoring of coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. CORDIO is implementing about 45 projects (see Activities) in 11 Indian Ocean countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Comores, Reunion, Maldives, Sri Lanka, India). About 50 scientists at local institutions in these countries carry out the projects.