A Red List Workshop Assessor Training Workshop was held from 3 - 5 June at Aula del Mar, in Malaga, (Spain). During three days, experts on Mediterranean anthozoans (corals and anemones) from different countries of the region were trained on how to apply the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria for regional level assessments in order to highlight species threatened with extinction. These assessments will be included in IUCN´s List of Threatened Species, helping promote their conservation. The event is part of the project "Mediterranean Biodiversity Assessment phase II" and counts with financial support of the MAVA Foundation.

Anthozoans are polyp-like organisms which include the well-known sea anemones, corals, as well as the less known sea pens and sea fans. The Mediterranean madrepora (Cladocora caespitosa), the red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata), and the red Mediterranean coral (Corallium rubrum) are some of the most unique coral species in the Mediterranean and are on decline in the region. Climate change, unsustainable fishing techniques and gears are the greatest threats to this marine group.

Corals were added to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for the first time in 2007. IUCN-Med is joining to the effort by assessing the Red List status of some species occurring at the Mediterranean. This workshop aims at improving the capacity of experts on IUCN´s Red List methodology and helps building networks of people to work on these evaluations.

IUCN´s Red List of Threatened Species is recognized as the most comprehensive and authoritative information base on the status of species world-wide.

Photo: María del Mar Otero