LMMA Network members make a splash at the
11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
July 7-11, 2008 

Christopher Bartlett from Vanuatu made on oral presentation "Reserves in Vanuatu: Socio-cultural versus Ecological impacts" by Christopher Bartlett and Charley Manua.

Melchor Deocadez from the Philippines made a poster presentation "Spatial Distribution Patterns of Abundance of Major Life Stages of Reef Fishes in Sulu Sea, Philippines."

Daisy Flores-Salgado from the Philippines made a poster presentation "Comparative Study of Coral Cover and Fish Density in Biga Marine Reserve."

Sakiusa Fong from Fiji made an oral presentation "Scaling up to a network of locally managed marine areas, Fiji Islands: the Macuata experience."

Rikki Grober-Dunsmore made an oral presentaion on behalf of Victor Bonito from Fiji, titled "Integrated research, development and educational activities enhance the success of community-based, marine resource management in the Korolevu I Wai district, Fiji."

Eugene Joseph from Pohnpei made a poster presentation "Assessing the Ecological Status of Reef Building Coral Communities of Pohnpei, Micronesia as a tool for Conservation."

Zaidy Khan from Fiji made an oral presntation "Reef Management Using Traditional Management Practices in Vanuatu" and a poster presentation "Feasibility study: low tech reef restoration for food security."

Isoa Korovulavula from Fiji made an oral presentation "Application of Participatory Rapid Economic Valuation to Sustainable Community Based Marine and Natural Resource Management in Fiji."

Toni Parras made a poster presentation on behalf of Alifereti Tawake and Ron Vave from Fiji, titled "Analysing Factors That Contribute to the Success of Locally-Managed Marine Areas: Preliminary Results and Lessons Learned."

Samisoni Pareti (at right, seated next to Ken Weiss from the Los Angeles Times), a senior journalist from Fiji, and Titi Gabe (not pictured), a senior journalist from Papua New Guinea, were selected by SeaWeb to attend the symposium.  They were joined by award-winning journalists from around the globe.

Various LMMA Network members were interviewed by the press during the conference.  For related media clips from the symposium, see: http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/features/s2311753.htm

This was also a chance for LMMA members from different countries to meet each other in person and share lessons and experiences, and to have fun together.  If you would like more information on any of these presentations, please contact info@lmmanetwork.org.