M
ost coral reef ecosystems suffer some level
of damage from illegal human activities,
including vessel groundings, destructive
fishing practices and coastal pollution.
Prosecuting the perpetrators of these coral reef crimes is an
important element of effective conservation efforts, but it’s
also a challenging prospect — especially because most of the
evidence is located underwater. Few field investigators are
equipped to handle coral reef criminal or civil cases.
Fortunately, an innovative program is training natural
resource investigators to do just that. Utilizing forensic science
techniques modified for use underwater, the Coral Reef Crime
Scene Investigation (CSI) program provides resource managers
and law enforcement personnel with the tools, strategies
and specialized training required to gather and preserve
courtroom-worthy evidence from the marine environment.
The training program features a five-day field-based
workshop that serves as an intensive initiation into the
relatively new field of coral reef forensic investigations.
International professionals in wildlife enforcement, coral
reef ecology, ecotoxicology and marine natural resource
investigation present the curriculum and guide participants
through demonstrations and practice investigations.
After introductory sessions in the classroom, participants
get hands-on practice, utilizing techniques, equipment and
role-playing in different impact scenarios. At the end of the
training, participants present a court case from evidence
gathered during practice investigations, familiarizing them
with the rigors of the legal
process.
More than 350 marine-
protected area managers,
enforcement officers, academics
and litigators from coral reef
destinations around the world
have already attended Coral Reef
CSI workshops, and the program
continues to grow and expand.
New training modules addressing
the illegal marine wildlife trade,
aquatic contaminants and sea
turtle field forensics are currently
being developed and tested.
Initially developed under
the International Coral Reef
Initiative (ICRI), the Coral Reef
CSI program has now found a
home at the Coral Reef Alliance
(CORAL), an international
nonprofit committed to uniting
communities to save coral reefs.
This exciting new partnership is
strengthening global efforts to
pursue effective litigation that will
increase protection for coral reefs.
Learn more at
www.coral.org/coral_reef_csi.
20
|
FALL 2011
Walls•Reefs•Wrecks•Sharks•Movie Sites
WORLD CLASS DIVING SO CLOSE TO HOME
DISCOVER DIVERSITY
GREAT VALUE • GREAT FUN • GREAT DIVING
800.879.9832
www.stuartcove.com
info@stuartcove.com
Nassau • Bahamas
DISCOVER DIVERSITY
GREAT VALUE • GREAT FUN • GREAT DIVING
Ask about Stuart Cove’s
New Tiger Beach
Location at West End,
Grand Bahama Island.
Dive with Tiger Sharks.
DIVE SLATE
//
Coral Reef CSI
Gathering evidence underwater
B Y S U S A N W O L F
14-23_Dive_Slate_Fall2011.indd 20
9/29/11