CORDIO is an international program created to respond to the degradation of coral reefs throughout the Indian Ocean. In the western Indian Ocean region coral reefs are key ecosystems that support large sectors of the countries' populations and economies, through artisanal fisheries, tourism and large-scale investments. Projects within CORDIO focus on determining a) the biophysical impacts of coral degradation as a result of bleaching and other disturbances, and the long term prospects for recovery, b) the socio-economic impacts of coral mortality and options for mitigating these through management and development of alternative livelihoods, and c) the prospects of restoration and rehabilitation of reefs to accelerate the ecological and economic recovery.