Our Mission & Vision
The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Coral Specialist Group is committed to the conservation and protection of coral species worldwide. We aim to advance scientific understanding, guide effective conservation action, and influence policy to secure the future of coral ecosystems in the face of environmental change. By collaborating with researchers, conservation practitioners, experts, and local communities, we strive to implement strategies that safeguard coral biodiversity for generations to come.
Our mission is to assess and mitigate the extinction risks of coral species by leveraging expert knowledge and scientific research. Through the IUCN Red List methodology and consensus-driven evaluations, we provide policymakers and society with the information needed to take science-based action.
Through collaboration and advocacy, we work to:
- Assess and monitor extinction risks using the IUCN Red List methodology to guide coral conservation priorities.
- Bridge science and policy by delivering robust, up-to-date extinction risk assessments that inform decision-making.
- Advance coral research and innovation, integrating species-specific traits, genetic resilience, and ecological data into conservation strategies.
- Promote global biodiversity data production, ensuring accurate and accessible information for conservationists, governments, and stakeholders.
- Support capacity-building initiatives through training programs, expert workshops, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
- Identifying critical knowledge gaps to enhance conservation outcomes.
- Drive actionable conservation strategies, ensuring that our research translates into tangible protection efforts for coral reefs worldwide.
By gathering experts and applying the rigorous methodology of the IUCN Red List, we conduct species assessments based on scientific consensus. Our assessments take into account meticulously researched criteria, including species-specific traits, to refine health status updates. Through these efforts, we provide policymakers, conservation practitioners, and communities with well-founded conservation recommendations while highlighting cases where additional data is needed to ensure informed decision-making.
Ultimately, we aim to safeguard coral biodiversity for future generations by enabling science-based conservation action, empowering decision-makers, and fostering global collaboration to address the pressing challenges corals face today.