Coral reef crime scene investigation

From the Web site of the International Coral Reef Action Network:

Regardless of region, most coral reef ecosystems are under various levels of anthropogenic impact. In areas where a management plan is in place with regulations outlined to protect the marine environment, management authorities are often limited in resources to enforce those regulations.

The capacity of resource managers to respond to short-term human impact incidences is often limited in terms of training, time and financial means. Training for field investigators in investigative, forensic and rapid ecological assessment techniques, is required to ensure accurate assessment and data collection, and maximise prosecution, mitigation, or negotiation success.

The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) has created a committee on Coral Reef Enforcement and Natural Resource Investigation to facilitate the development of standards and protocols that respond to this need.

ICRAN are working alongside NOAA, the US Department of State and CONANP, to support the ICRI committee in developing a toolkit and training programme for standardised coral reef enforcement and natural resource investigations, which can be adapted for use in any major coral reef region and applied to a wide variety of events.

Regional training workshops will take place based on the tool kit components to train coral reef resource managers and enforcement personnel on its use, and to better coordinate and communicate investigative and enforcement actions and educate the public and decision makers for enhanced resource protection and management capabilities.