Our history
 

The Coastal Reefs Institute (IRCOS) was founded in 2001 and deals issues related to the conservation and sustainable use of reef environments in the State of Pernambuco, as well as to carrying out mapping and monitoring activities of coral reefs along the coast.

It came from the Project “Integrated Management Initiative for the Coastal Reef System between Tamandaré - PE and Paripueira - AL”, known as the “Coastal Reefs Project”, which began in 1998 with the objective of developing a management strategy aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of coastal reefs located in the Costa dos Corais Marine Environmental Protection Area. Since the Project was developed, the need for an entity that would seek the preservation and conservation of coral reefs as well as associated ecosystems has been discussed. An NGO with broader objectives and regulations, geared towards the areas and results of the Project’s activities, since the existing NGOs at the local level have more specific objectives. There was, therefore, a need to optimize efforts in search of sustainability and continuity of actions. Thus, believing that much still needs to be done, these researchers, representatives of universities and governmental and non-governmental environmental agencies created the Coastal Reefs Institute.

IRCOS was founded in October 2001 and is made up of a deliberative council that has a voluntary essence and partnership with management and control bodies and an executive board.