"If our coral reefs are further degraded, then our reef-dependent communities will suffer and be displaced," the letter said. The Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, which aimed to protect coral reefs and create programs to manage their conservation, has been plagued by political resistance and a severe lack of funding, Richmond said. Severe or concurrent years of bleaching can kill coral reefs, as has been documented over the past two years in oceans around the world. They also called for more integration of "traditional knowledge, customary practices and scientific research" in building a comprehensive coral reef policy. As the largest international gathering of coral reef experts comes to a close, scientists and policy makers are moving ahead with plans for action to save the world's reefs, which are being rapidly damaged.

Source: ABC News June 25, 2016 00:43 UTC