Coral Restoration in the Maldives

In a display of unity, Cora Cora Maldives has embarked on an ambitious, 5-year coral restoration project, bringing together the entire resort community—from guests, Freedom Fighters, and partners to our Head of Departments, led by General Manager Justin Swart and Managing Director Martin van der Reijden. With support from Mars Global and other partners, we are transforming our reefs, contributing to the Maldives becoming the second-largest coral restoration site for Mars Global, right behind Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

This multi-year coral restoration project is driven by a simple belief: extraordinary things happen when a community comes together. From our little guests and big families tying coral fragments to our Freedom Fighters dedicating their time in the water, everyone at Cora Cora Maldives plays a vital role. It is a shared mission to protect our oceans and create a vibrant underwater world.

Bringing the Vision to Life

The project’s success lies in its multi-disciplinary approach, combining the expertise of Mars Global Sustainable Solutions and the hands-on efforts of our team. Mars Global trained our diving center team and sustainability manager in the SER-Certified Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System, deploying reef stars with coral fragments across two key reef sites. These stars act as a foundation, promoting coral growth and increasing marine biodiversity.

But we won’t stop there. Our coral restoration journey embraces multiple advanced techniques to scale up restoration and create resilient reefs. Alongside the Reef Stars, we will use rope nurseries to nurture coral fragments until they’re robust enough for outplanting. This process is complemented by direct outplanting using coral clips and Ocean Quest’s methodology, allowing corals to quickly anchor to the reef and develop new habitats for marine species.

In the next phase, we’re introducing microfragmentation with the “Plant a Million Corals” initiative. This groundbreaking method involves breaking healthy coral colonies into tiny fragments, a process that triggers rapid growth in a controlled, nurturing environment. These fragments then fuse together, forming larger coral pieces in half the time it would take naturally. Once they reach the desired size, they are transplanted back onto damaged reefs, significantly accelerating reef recovery and increasing surface area for marine life.

A Center of Excellence in Coral Restoration

Our success in coral restoration stems from the training and certification we’ve received from our dedicated partners. With the support of Mars Global, most of our diving center team and our sustainability manager were trained in the SER-Certified Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System, allowing us to implement effective techniques for reef revival. Notably, Diving Center Manager Marcus Goh and Marine Biologist Giulia Morello have become certified trainers, empowering them to pass on their knowledge not only to our team but also to local islands and other resorts in the region.

Taking it a step further, our passionate Marine Biologist, Giulia Morello, traveled to Malaysia for specialized training in Ocean Quest’s direct outplanting methodology. Equipped with these advanced skills, Giulia and our team now utilize a diverse array of restoration techniques, ensuring that our reefs are not just surviving but thriving. Through this combined expertise, Cora Cora Maldives is aspiring to become a Center of Excellence, leading the way in coral restoration and marine conservation.

This knowledge is not confined to our island’s boundaries. We will be working with Save the Beach Maldives in assisting in training & reef building in local island communities, and encouraging neighboring resorts to adopt the skills and techniques necessary for large-scale restoration, showcasing what is truly possible. By empowering others, we are creating a ripple effect that extends the impact of our work far beyond Cora the Cora Maldives, inspiring conservation efforts throughout the entire Maldives.

Management leading by example

Our Managing Director, Martin van der Reijden, General Manager, Justin Swart, and our Heads of Department have led by example, actively participating in the restoration activities alongside guests, partners, and our Freedom Fighters. From the production of reef stars, coating them with sand under the sun, collecting coral fragments, to tying these fragments to the reef stars, they have been deeply involved in every step of the process. Justin even joined in the diving and snorkeling efforts to place and anchor the reef stars in their new homes. This hands-on approach has inspired everyone at Cora Cora Maldives to become ocean advocates, knowing that their collective efforts are making a direct impact on the restoration of these precious ecosystems.

This is not a short-term endeavor. Our coral restoration project is a five-year commitment designed to scale up and employ a variety of advanced techniques to enhance reef diversity and resilience. By building a rich, diverse coral ecosystem, we are giving our reefs the best chance to withstand the challenges of climate change and other environmental stressors. Through this project, we aim to demonstrate that large-scale coral restoration is not only possible but also offers a beacon of hope and a pathway forward for marine conservation worldwide.

Restoring Reefs, one fragment at a time

At Cora Cora Maldives, every guest has the opportunity to get involved, contributing to a cause that will leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re tying a coral fragment, adopting a reef star or learning about marine life through our “Walk with our Marine Biologist” Program, your actions make a difference. Together with our Freedom Fighters, guests, and partners, we’re building a community of ocean advocates committed to preserving marine ecosystems for future generations.

Our project is a beacon of what’s possible when a community unites, drawing on the strengths of partners, innovative methods, and the collective will to protect our oceans. By the time this multi-year journey reaches its peak, we aim to have set a new standard in coral restoration, showing the world that with dedication, knowledge, and collaboration, vibrant and resilient reefs are within reach.