Coral Reef Monitoring Network
Protecting Coral Reefs in the ROPME Sea Area
The Regional Coral Reef Monitoring Program is a collaborative research initiative focused on the systematic assessment and preservation of coral reef ecosystems within the ROPME Sea Area. This program aims to integrate efforts from leading regional researchers and institutions across eight countries: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. By generating high-quality data, we deepen our understanding of the status and trends of the regional reefs and make significant contributions to scientific knowledge through regional reports and scientific publications. Additionally, the data collected is shared with the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) for inclusion in the 2025 global report, amplifying the impact of our regional efforts on global coral reef conservation. As a critical component of marine biodiversity, coral reefs serve as indicators of environmental health, and our program is instrumental in advancing both regional and global objectives.
Goals
Objectives and research aims
The primary objective of the Regional Coral Reef Monitoring Program is to establish a robust and standardized framework for coral reef monitoring across the ROPME Sea Area.
Our goals include:
Conducting rigorous scientific assessments to evaluate the current status of regional coral reef ecosystems.
Monitoring temporal changes to identify trends and emerging stressors in the region, including those associated with climate change.
Enhancing collaborative research efforts by facilitating data sharing and acknowledge exchange among regional and global stakeholders.
Providing data-driven insights to inform regional conservation efforts and policy decisions.
Data Sharing Protocols
The program includes contibutions from accross the ROPME region. We ensure that all data contributors retain full ownership of their data through our Data Sharing Agreement (DSA). This agreement guarantees responsible use and proer acknowledgement in any resulting publications.