This is the fourth Cordio Status report in which the current status of coral reefs and the problems that continue to degrade reefs as well as recent patterns of recovery and the resultant changes in the community structure in the region are documented. The achievements of the Cordio programme and its partners in establishing alternative livelihoods and options for income diversification for people solely dependent on the productivity of shallow water ecosystems and the successes in raising awareness among coastal communities are also described. In the thematic reports section local level coral reef management in Southern Kenya and community based monitoring of reef resources in Lakshadweep (India) are important for community based approaches