From Science to Action: Highlights from the IFRECOR National Committee in Martinique

19 déc.

In late November, the Science4Reefs Foundation took part in the National Committee of the French Initiative for Coral Reefs (IFRECOR), held in Martinique, organised by the IFRECOR National Secretariat in collaboration with DEAL Martinique. This major gathering, the first overseas committee since 2019, brought together more than 50 stakeholders from across France’s overseas territories to share knowledge, assessments, and priorities for action to protect coral reefs and their associated ecosystems.

A national committee at the heart of Caribbean reefs

Holding the IFRECOR National Committee in Martinique anchored discussions directly within the Caribbean context. Exchanges highlighted region-specific pressures on coral reefs, including declining water quality, mass sargassum strandings, and their direct impacts on coastal ecosystem health.

This location also enabled valuable interactions with local stakeholders, including marine protected area managers, scientists, NGOs, and conservation practitioners. Participants from Guadeloupe also contributed, enriching discussions through the sharing of on-the-ground experience and operational feedback.

Coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass: an ecosystem-based approach

Beyond coral reefs, discussions addressed the broader network of associated coastal ecosystems, notably mangroves and seagrass meadows, which play a critical role in coastal resilience and biodiversity conservation.

For the first time, the French Guiana national committee participated in the meeting. This contribution provided important insights into mangrove ecosystems, their functioning, growth dynamics, and their key role in coastal protection, carbon storage, and support for human activities.

Presentations highlighted the complementarity between scientific research, ecological monitoring, and local action, as well as the growing importance of citizen science initiatives, driven by a highly engaged civil society.

Alarming findings in the face of climate change

Discussions confirmed an alarming global assessment: recent coral bleaching events are leading to unprecedented mortality rates across ocean basins. These impacts threaten reef resilience and the many ecosystem services reefs provide to coastal communities.

These findings reinforce the urgent need to:

reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
strengthen local actions, particularly those improving coastal water quality;
and provide long-term support to territories for ecosystem management and restoration.

Recognising local leadership: the IFRECOR Award

The week concluded with the presentation of the IFRECOR Award to the municipality of Poum (New Caledonia), recognised for its municipal biodiversity atlas, an exemplary tool supporting knowledge generation, ecosystem management, and coral reef conservation.

Working together to protect tomorrow’s reefs

The IFRECOR National Committee once again demonstrated how essential collaboration between territories, scientists, policymakers, and local actors is to addressing the challenges facing coral reefs.

For the Science4Reefs Foundation, these exchanges are fundamental to strengthening the link between science and action, supporting local initiatives, and contributing to the long-term protection of coral reefs and coastal ecosystems worldwide.

Thank you very much to everyone who was part of this inspiring time, and for inviting us to be part of it, specially to the organizators Initiative Française pour les récifs coralliens (Ifrecor), Marianna Monneau ZENA FADUL Catherine Gabrié Francis Staub Célia de Lavergne
Comité français de l'UICN