WWF Coral Triangle Program Changes Leadership

The WWF Coral Triangle program has changed its leadership beginning January 2014. Jackie Thomas has taken the helm from Dr. Lida Pet-Soede who has moved on to a global role within the WWF network, looking into aspects of ocean and coastal areas management that enhance their delivery of food security and livelihoods, especially in parts of the globe where this is needed the most.

Jackie has been the Deputy Leader of the WWF Coral Triangle program for two years. She has been part of the core team since 2008 and has led the program’s policy and advocacy strategy in relation to the CTI-CFF.  Jackie will now lead the WWF Coral Triangle team in its current work to achieve its targets, planning of WWF's engagement and support for the next three years in the Coral Triangle, and ensuring that the program builds and capitalizes on the work of the past years.

The significant achievements of the Coral Triangle team over the past six years, led by Lida, provides the backbone and springboard for magnifying and scaling-up work to reduce negative impacts on marine biodiversity and helping to sustain the livelihoods and food security for the millions of people who live in and rely on the marine resources and ecosystems services provided by the Coral Triangle.

Jackie and her team have a big task ahead of them as they carry out key activities in building sustainable fisheries, reducing the footprint of key industries reliant on the marine environment, tackling turtle and shark trade issues, policy and advocacy engagement, and their ongoing partnership with the six countries and development partners of the CTI-CFF.

During this period, the team will also be working with key stakeholders such as the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat, to develop the next phase of their engagement in the Coral Triangle region.  This will build on and utilize existing platforms such as the Coral Triangle Regional Business Forum, the Climate Change Adaptation Marketplace, Coral Triangle Communications Platform, and the Asia Pacific Sustainable Seafood and Trade Network.

This period will also provide scope for new ideas and innovation for facilitating transformation of business and industry for sustainable livelihoods and food security, for healthy marine and oceans habitats, and for continued ecosystem services.