Every four years the entire scientific community working on coral reefs, including biologists, chemists, geologists, ecologists, climatologists, economists, sociologists and marine park managers convene at the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS).

This year, around 2,300 delegates from 80 countries gathered in Cairns (Australia), gateway to Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef.

It was an exciting occasion, where the worlds most famous coral reef laboratories showcased their lastest discoveries.

More than 1500 papers were presented in five days. The CSM certainly made its mark, presenting 25 papers by 12 delegates.

In addition to research presentations, the CSM organized four round table discussions focused on the themes of CSM, which attracted 110 participants. Perhaps most significantly, Professor Denis Allemand was asked to provide one of the plenary lectures before the 2300 delegates.

Overall it was an important occasion to take stock of the latest knowledge about corals and the contribution of new approaches such as genomics, which are revolutionizing our view of life.

The ICRS delegates and produced a joint statement urging policymakers to take measures to protect coral reefs for the benefit of present and future generations (see text http://www.icrs2012.com/).

In fact, while reefs are the largest source of marine biodiversity and provide living environment and food to nearly 500 million people worldwide, nearly 30% of these reefs are severely degraded and that percentage is predicted to increase due to climate change and associated events such as ocean acidification.
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Photo Caption: Some of the researchers at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco on the podium twelfth International Symposium on Coral Reefs after the plenary lecture of Prof. Allemand.

From left to right: Dr Éric Tambutté, Pascale Tremblay, Dr Jérémie Vidal-Dupiol, Dr Christine Ferrier-Pagès, Dr Sylvie Tambutté, Prof. Denis Allemand, Dr Éric Béraud, Julien Debreuil, Dr Renaud Grover, Julien Laurent. Bottom row: Drs Alexander Venn et Stéphanie Reynaud.

Missing from the photo : Dr Didier Zoccola, Claire Godinot. © CSM