CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat's Coral Triangle Day 2014 Message

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to send warm greetings to all CTI-CFF colleagues as you prepare activities marking Coral Triangle Day (CT-Day) 2014. You may recall that in 2012 in Putrajaya, Malaysia, our Ministers endorsed June 9 as CT-Day.

Looking back at the last two years of CT-Day celebrations, I would like to express my warmest appreciation to those who have consistently devoted themselves to organizing numerous events that strengthen ties among CT-6 Countries, Partners, and communities living in the Coral Triangle region.

We achieved great success in previous CT-Day events. The second CT-Day in 2013 was celebrated across six countries, in approximately 100 locations in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste. More than 30 local governments, private businesses, and an estimated 30,000 people participated region-wide.

This year’s activities present an opportunity not only to repeat successful practices but also to strengthen friendships among the CTI-CFF family while reflecting on the progress we have made in improving coral reef quality and enhancing fish stocks in the Coral Triangle. We are grateful for another year to learn from each other’s successes and challenges. By doing so, CT-Day 2014 will truly celebrate our socio-cultural and biophysical diversity, the wealth of marine and coastal resources, and the dedication of committed people who prioritize Coral Triangle activities in national and local development agendas.

As the CTI-CFF accelerates efforts to implement the Regional and National Plans of Action and focus on priority actions and activities, I encourage all CT-6 countries and partners to organize something unique, exemplary, and memorable on June 9, 2014. Activities can include beach clean-ups, clean-up dives, mangrove planting, recycling programs, educational talks, puppet shows, coloring contests, sustainable seafood launches, mural painting contests, and other public outreach campaigns.

However, it is essential to remember why these activities are conducted and their connection to the protection of coral reefs, marine and coastal resources, and the sustainable increase of fish stocks.

CT-Day is a day to reinforce our commitment to addressing threats to coral reefs and marine and coastal resources. We are entrusted by communities in the Coral Triangle region to respond to climate change, livelihood, food security, and fishery challenges. Each of us plays an essential role in this response. I hope CT-Day serves as an inspiring reminder of the importance of our work and the solidarity of our colleagues. CT-Day is open-sourced, meaning any individual, organization, institution, or establishment can organize activities related to Coral Triangle and coral reef protection.

As part of the regional celebration, we encourage organizations holding CT-Day activities to upload photos or videos of their events to the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fishery and Food Security Facebook page.

For more information, please contact Olivia Sope at osope@cticff.org.

Let’s work together to spread the message of protecting the Coral Triangle and providing more fish for the world.

With best regards,

Prof. Ir. R. Sjarief Widjaja, Ph.D., FRINA
Chairman of CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat/
Secretary General of Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries,
Republic of Indonesia