The world’s coral reefs are not doomed – provided governments and communities take the urgent and necessary actions to preserve them.

At ICRS this year Professor Hughes will receive the International Society for Reef Studies’ highest honour, the Darwin Medal, for his outstanding contribution to marine and coral science

For example many no-take marine reserves have been set up round the world by non-government organisations – but nearly all of them are proving unsuccessful because they ignore the needs of the local population and have failed to win their backing.

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