TWO senior Pacific journalists will attend the world's leading coral reef science conference in the United States next week.
Fiji journalist Samisoni Pareti and PNG radio journalist Titi Gabi will attend the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) which begins Monday, July 7, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Held once every four years, this year's symposium will convene on the US mainland for the first time in 30 years.
It will bring together more than 2500 international scientists, policy makers, managers, and conservationists from 150 countries to present the latest on coral reef science and management.
Reports from the event will focus on topics including the emerging link between climate change, ocean acidification and coral reef health; diseases affecting coral reefs; recovery of coral reef ecosystems following bleaching episodes and the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas.
SeaWeb Asia Pacific program associate Vasemaca Rarabici said the selection of the journalists indicates the importance of the conference, especially for small island nations.
"Even though we are miles away from industrialised countries, we feel the impact of climate change, sea-level rise and coral bleaching," Ms Rarabici said.
