IPOPCORM – Ocean Conservation Success Story
The IPOPCORM project on Culion Island, Philippines was recognized by the Smithsonian Institute as one of the “conservation efforts that is making a difference in the world” at an event convened in May 2009 at the International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC).
The symposium entitled “Beyond the Obituary: Success Stories in Ocean Conservation" was organized by two renowned marine scientists: Nancy Knowlton, Sant Chair for Marine Sciences Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and Jeremy Jackson Director, Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who sought out stories from around the globe of ocean conservation programs that had produced “clear, tangible results that go beyond describing conservation efforts to describe successful outcomes."
IPOPCORM was one of 26 projects selected for oral presentation at the Smithsonian-sponsored event while another 21 projects were recognized in poster sessions. The stories “offered r easons to be hopeful from Australia to Belize” said Dr. Knowlton, and “covered successful conservation programs ranging from oyster restoration in Florida to a combined family planning and coastal management effort in the Philippines that benefits local people and reefs simultaneously [IPOPCORM].”
Leona D’Agnes delivered the presentation on behalf of PATH Foundation Philippines Inc. and the co-author of the story, Joan Castro. The IPOPCORM-Culion story was also selected for publication in a forthcoming report by the International Coral reef Action Network (ICRAN) called “ Reefs at Risk Revisited.”
For more information about the Smithsonian symposium and the selected Ocean Success Stories, please visit The Sant Ocean Hall portal of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History : http://ocean.si.edu/ocean_hall/success_stories.html