Island and Ocean Ecosystems
In 2015, five coral reef managers from the pacific joined their peers from the Caribbean and Indian Oceans on an intensive three week Coral Reef Management Fellowship Programme at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Building on the success of the 2015 program, the International Coral Reef Management and Leadership Program is returning for 2016.

Based in the Great Barrier Reef, participants will share experiences with coral reef managers and leaders from Australia, central Pacific, Indian Ocean and the Caribbean to learn about the latest issues and approaches in coral reef management and develop as more effective leaders.

The program is being developed as paired sub-programs: one aimed at Leadership Development for Marine Resource Managers and one aimed at Excellence in Reef Management. It will take place in October this year.

"This was very successful in 2015, it is pleasing to see that this opportunity is being made available again this year and we hope to see many applicants from the Pacific islands," said Mr. Warren Lee Long, the Coastal and Marine Adviser for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

PF1 copyMembers of the 2015 Fellowship, image courtesy of Reef Ecologic

In 2015, Ms. Rolenas Baereleo and Ms. Donna Kalfatak of Vanuatu, Ms. Samantha Kwan of Samoa, Mr. Samiuela Pakileata of Tonga and Mr. Arawaia Moiwa of Kiribati returned from the fellowship with an immense new body of knowledge and learning on innovative coral reef science, management and leadership.

This year Reef Ecologic, in partnership with GCFI, SPREP and IUCN are inviting applications from senior leaders and program managers involved in coral reef management to participate in this unique opportunity. Only citizens from countries eligible for Australian Overseas Development Assistance are able to be considered for the fully funded fellowships. The deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest is 8 March 2015.

Visit the 2016 International Coral Reef Management and Leadership Program web page for more information and to submit your expression of interest.

The program is being organised by Reef Ecologic, in partnership with the Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Program, Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute and IUCN Marine and Polar Program.

For more information contact Dr Adam Smith or Assoc Prof Paul Marshall: [email protected] or Mr. Warren Lee Long at [email protected]