Acting for coral reefs
Nature Seychelles’ Reef Rescuers is a coral reef restoration project that started over a decade ago to combat climate change-induced coral bleaching in the Seychelles.
THE CHALLENGE
Our oceans are facing a severe threat from climate change, which is the most significant danger to all marine ecosystems. The impact of climate change on global coral reefs has been devastating, endangering the livelihoods of millions of people, including coastal communities in Eastern Africa and the islands of the Western Indian Ocean. Over the past two decades, coral reefs in the region have suffered widespread degradation due to a series of ocean warming events and subsequent coral bleaching.
In Seychelles, the catastrophic 1998 El Nino, combined with the Indian Ocean Dipole, resulted in the loss of over 90% of live coral cover, with many reefs collapsing into rubble and later becoming covered with algae. Decades later, surveys showed a slow recovery. A further 50% loss was experienced after another major coral bleaching event in 2016. In addition to coral mortality, coral bleaching hinders overall reef health and resilience, coral reproduction, and increases disease prevalence.
why coral reefs?
Seychelles coral reefs are vital for:
TOURISM
Our world-famous sandy white beaches depend on healthy reefs, while corals and associated biodiversity are an attraction for snokellers and divers.
fisheries
Seychelles fisheries provide food, jobs, and revenues. Coral reefs are home to an abundance of fish, and other marine life targeted for fishing.
shore protection
Reefs act as a natural barrier for coastlines and buffer shorelines from waves, storms, and floods thus protecting lives and property.
biodiversity
Coral reefs are habitats for millions of marine species. They are one the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth.
THE REEF RESCUERS PROJECT
The reef around Cousin Island was heavily impacted by the 1998 El Nino event. A large area became covered with dead coral rubble. Recovery was extremely slow and it was unlikely for the corals to recover on their own without any intervention. This motivated us to start active restoration efforts.
2010-2020
In 2010, with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), we began the largest active coral reef restoration project in the region within Cousin Island that came to be known as “Reef Rescuers” project. Using the “coral gardening” method, dedicated scientists have grown corals collected from healthy sites, raised them in underwater nurseries, and transplanted these at pre-selected sites.
IMPACT
Below are some of the major achievements of the project:
Raised over 50,000 coral fragments in underwater nurseries. 12 midwater nurseries (9 rope nurseries and 3 net nurseries), were built with coral fragments from donor corals and corals of opportunity of 34 coral species
Transplanted over 5000m2 of degraded reef within the no-take marine reserve of Cousin Island Special Reserve with these nursery-grown corals.
Trained over 60 scientific divers and volunteers on reef restoration techniques through the in-house volunteer scientific diver programme. The first-ever multinational Reef Rescuers training program was delivered in 2015, with six trainees successfully completing the eight-week training program. A second regional training program from the Western Indian Ocean region in collaboration with Corales de Paz, and the Noble Caledonia Charitable Trust in 2019Community leaders and reef practitioners from five western Indian Ocean countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius / Rodrigues) participated.
To further disseminate knowledge gained from the ongoing Reef Rescuers project, a ‘Coral Reef Restoration Toolkit’ was published, highlighting lessons learned and restoration best practices. It is available for free download.
This project scaled up experimental-size methodology to large-scale in-the-field trials. Although there are a number of techniques being used globally to re-grow corals, the coral gardening model was selected for its simplicity, cost effectiveness, and low negative impact on donor sites. The project acted as an active and dynamic underwater laboratory where research questions on coral reproduction, coral growth, animal behaviour and reef resilience could be addressed. For example, one research project investigated the effects of a coral transplantation project on coral recruitment. This and other research projects were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
See also: USAID Restoring Coral Reefs in the Face of Climate Changein the Seychelles
Further support from USAID resulted in the establishment of the Centre for Ocean Restoration Awareness and Learning (CORAL) on Praslin to act as a national and regional hub for knowledge sharing.
Nature Seychelles received further financial support under the Government of Seychelles-Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Project (UNDP) Protected Area Project in 2011 for a joint restoration project with Constance Lemuria at Anse Kerlan bay, Praslin that supported the transplantation of 2,015 corals in an area of 1,636 m2. This led to the publication of a scientific paper on an innovative low-tech method we developed for monitoring coral transplant survival and growth. Additional funding from the European Union through the Indian Ocean Commission supported the cultivation of 2000 coral fragments in a restoration project with Six Senses Zil Pasyon Resort at Felicite Island.
The project has been widely publicized in local and international media through articles, documentaries, news items and social media putting Seychelles firmly on the global map as a forerunner in coral reef restoration.
See some highlights:
Watch (videos)
BBC – Is ‘super coral’ the key to saving the world’s reefs?
CNN-Inside Africa – Reef rescuers race against time
Sky News – Underwater gardeners race to rescue reef
Deutsche Welle – Nursing Indian Ocean coral reefs back to life
French Documentary on Reef Rescuers Project – Franck Fougère-Gnagni – Les Seychelles, Une Seconde vie pour le Corail + BONUS Longitude 181 et François Sarano
SBC news segment in Creole – Reef Rescuers Project Launch
Indian Ocean Commission – Coral reef restoration in Seychelles and Mauritius
Listen (Audio)
Deutsche Welle – Saving coral reefs in the Seychelles
Read
(Regional & International Articles)
BBC News – Is ‘super coral’ the key to saving the world’s reefs?
Associated Press – In the Seychelles, coral reefs face climate change threat
Sky News – Deep Ocean Live: Climate change is killing the ocean’s coral reefs
WIOMSA – Reef Rescuers: A decade of coral reef restoration in Seychelles
Greenpeace – A day in the life of a Reef Rescuer – Vital Ocean Voices
BirdLife International – Saving Seychelles disappearing coral reefs
Plongeur.com Restauration des récifs coralliens des Seychelles
Arab News – In the Seychelles, coral reefs face climate change threat
New York Post – Seychelles’ coral reefs are being threatened by climate change
CBS News – Fight mounts to save coral reefs in the Seychelles
Washington Post – Seychelles islands off Africa are battling to keep coral reefs alive
(Local Articles)
Seychelles News Agency
Success in boutique restoration method of corals for hotels
Over 50,000 corals raised in nurseries after 10 years of work by Nature Seychelles
As coral becomes increasingly threatened, Seychelles helps six countries practice coral restoration
4 projects in Seychelles to help coral reefs survive
Seychelles to share knowledge on ocean through new learning centre
Deep sea gardening holds answers for climate adaptation
Seychelles Nation – Nature Seychelles creates toolkit for coral restoration ahead of global meeting in Florida
Coral reef restoration by the tourism sector
CORAL: A new platform for increasing cooperation in marine conservation
Coral nurseries – preparing corals for the reef
Documents
Reef Resilience Network – Reef Rescuers: Coral Gardening as an MPA Management Tool
UNEP – Cousin Island Reef Rescuers Project
UN SDGs – Reef Rescuers
PANORAMA Solutions – Reef Rescuers: Restoring coral reef ecosystem services
Raised over 50,000 coral nubbins in underwater nurseries. 12 midwater nurseries (9 rope nurseries and 3 net nurseries), were built with coral fragments from donor corals and corals of opportunity of 34 coral species
Transplanted over 5000m2 of degraded reef within the no-take marine reserve of Cousin Island Special Reserve with these nursery-grown corals.
Trained over 60 scientific divers and volunteers on reef restoration techniques through the in-house volunteer scientific diver programme. The first-ever multinational Reef Rescuers training program was delivered in 2015, with six trainees successfully completing the eight-week training program. A second regional training program from the Western Indian Ocean region in collaboration with Corales de Paz, and the Noble Caledonia Charitable Trust in 2019.
To further disseminate knowledge gained from the ongoing Reef Rescuers project, a ‘Coral Reef Restoration Toolkit’ was published, highlighting lessons learned and restoration best practices. It is available for free download.
This project scaled up experimental-size methodology to large-scale in-the-field trials. Although there are a number of techniques being used globally to re-grow corals, the coral gardening model was selected for its simplicity, cost effectiveness, and low negative impact on donor sites. The project acted as an active and dynamic underwater laboratory where research questions on coral reproduction, coral growth, animal behaviour and reef resilience could be addressed. For example, one research project investigated the effects of a coral transplantation project on coral recruitment. This and other research projects were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
See also: USAID Restoring Coral Reefs in the Face of Climate Changein the Seychelles
Further support from USAID resulted in the establishment of the Centre for Ocean Restoration Awareness and Learning (CORAL) on Praslin to act as a national and regional hub for knowledge sharing.
Nature Seychelles received further financial support under the Government of Seychelles-Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Project (UNDP) Protected Area Project in 2011 for a joint restoration project with Constance Lemuria at Anse Kerlan bay, Praslin that supported the transplantation of 2,015 corals in an area of 1,636 m2. This led to the publication of a scientific paper on an innovative low-tech method we developed for monitoring coral transplant survival and growth. Additional funding from the European Union through the Indian Ocean Commission supported the cultivation of 2000 coral fragments in a restoration project with Six Senses Zil Pasyon Resort at Felicite Island.
The project has been widely publicized in local and international media through articles, documentaries, news items and social media putting Seychelles firmly on the global map as a forerunner in coral reef restoration
Raised over 50,000 coral nubbins in underwater nurseries. 12 midwater nurseries (9 rope nurseries and 3 net nurseries), were built with coral fragments from donor corals and corals of opportunity of 34 coral species
Transplanted over 5000m2 of degraded reef within the no-take marine reserve of Cousin Island Special Reserve, also managed by Nature Seychelles, with these nursery-grown corals.
Trained over 60 scientific divers and volunteers on reef restoration techniques through the in-house volunteer scientific diver programme. The first-ever multinational Reef Rescuers training program was delivered in 2015, with six trainees successfully completing the eight-week training program. A second regional training program from the Western Indian Ocean region in collaboration with Corales de Paz, and the Noble Caledonia Charitable Trust in 2019.
To further disseminate knowledge gained from the ongoing Reef Rescuers project, a ‘Coral Reef Restoration Toolkit’ was published, highlighting lessons learned and restoration best practices. It is available for free download.
This project scaled up experimental-size methodology to large-scale in-the-field trials. Although there are a number of techniques being used globally to re-grow corals, the coral gardening model was selected for its simplicity, cost effectiveness, and low negative impact on donor sites. The project acted as an active and dynamic underwater laboratory where research questions on coral reproduction, coral growth, animal behaviour and reef resilience could be addressed. For example, one research project investigated the effects of a coral transplantation project on coral recruitment. This and other research projects were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
See also: USAID Restoring Coral Reefs in the Face of Climate Changein the Seychelles
Further support from USAID resulted in the establishment of the Centre for Ocean Restoration Awareness and Learning (CORAL) on Praslin to act as a national and regional hub for knowledge sharing.
Nature Seychelles received further financial support under the Government of Seychelles-Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Project (UNDP) Protected Area Project in 2011 for a joint restoration project with Constance Lemuria at Anse Kerlan bay, Praslin funded that supported the transplantation of 2,015 corals in an area of 1,636 m2. This led to the publication of a scientific paper on an innovative low-tech method we developed for monitoring coral transplant survival and growth. Additional funding from the European Union through the Indian Ocean Commission supported the cultivation of 2000 coral fragments in a restoration project with Six Senses Zil Pasyon Resort at Felicite Island.
The project has been widely publicized in local and international media through articles, documentaries, news items and social media putting Seychelles firmly on the global map as a forerunner in coral reef restoration
2020-2025
In 2020, we started a new phase of the project to upscale these milestones, which is supported by a grant from the Adaptation Fund through UNDP and the Government of Seychelles. The Restoring Marine Ecosystem Services by Restoring Coral Reefs to Meet a Changing Climate Future project is a regional collaboration between Seychelles and Mauritius to restore reefs using ocean and land-based nurseries, as well as to bolster regional scientific advances and exchanges. The “reef gardening” concept will continue to be used aiming at cultivating at least 50 000 coral fragments to restore at least 1ha of degraded reef around Cousin Island Special Reserve. The project will also look at novel techniques from overseas in coral genetics and reproduction.
Coral Aquaculture
In addition to the mid-water nurseries, we have began the construction of a coral aquaculture facility on Praslin Island. Known as the Assisted Recovery of Coral (ARC) facility, this will be Africa’s first on-land regenerative coral aquaculture farm. It is set to revolutionize coral reef conservation and restoration by using a novel technique called micro-fragmentation to produce thousands of coral fragments to supplement current ocean-based nurseries. The facility is financially supported by the Adaptation Fund, the global shipping and logistics company CMA CGM, and the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT).
PROJECT MILESTONES
Between 2021-2024 the project has built 6 midwater floating nurseries and stocked it with 24,470 coral fragments of 6 genera.
Currently 0.55 ha has been outplanted with over 13,638 corals in 4 outplanting sites using the cementing and coral frames methods.
- Under an MoU with regional project partner, Shoals Rodrigues, one team member received coral restoration training for 1 month
- 48 Volunteer scientific divers have be trained in coral restoration (24 females and 24 males)
- 1 student from Vijay International School on work attachment was trained on coral ecology and restoration
- SCUBA diving training has been provided to 4 students from Praslin International school in collaboration with Whitetip dive centre
- Junior Reef Rescuers field-based workshop on reef ecology and restoration was held for 10 young members of the local watersport centre (Grand Anse, Praslin, Seychelles)
- Several talks reaching around 200 kids in all schools of Praslin (Seychelles)
Current collaborations
Demi Damstra, MSc
Demi Damstra, a student from the University of Groningen, is looking at the effectiveness of different outplanting patterns including the comparison between entire nursery-grown coral vs fragments collected from nursery-grown colonies. If the experiment is successful, we will be able to outplant many more fragments originating from our nurseries.
Charlotte Dale, MSc
Charlotte is a student from Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh) working on the comparison of stocking techniques to implement the productivity and success of the coral nursery phase.
Coastruction
We have partnered with Coastruction, a company focused on the 3D printing of artificial structures (AS). We are testing materials and shapes to find the most ecological functioning strategy to include the use of AS in the restoration project. If you want to be part of this initiative you can visit the following link and support the project with a donation.
Dr. Luca Fallati (University of Milano-Bicocca)
Photogrammetry is among the novel monitoring techniques in coral restoration. We have partnered with an international expert to obtain the best quality of data to study the success of coral restoration over time using advanced technological tools.
Dr. Giovanni Strona (University of Helsinki)
Dr. Giovanni Strona is lending his expertise to support the statistical analysis and interpretation of ecological data within our coral restoration project.
Dr. Michael Bell (Heriot-Watt University)
Dr. Michael Bell has been actively involved in assisting with data analysis and the design of experiments for Ms. Dale’s research project.
Dr. Nico Fassbender (University of Western Australia)
Dr. Nico Fassbender is contributing to our team by utilizing BRUVS (Baited Remote Underwater Video System) for evaluating fish biomass, diversity, and abundance at our project sites.
Lucas Bernardi, MSc (University of Milano-Bicocca)
Mr. Bernardi’s objective was to evaluate the potential applications and constraints of underwater photogrammetry in monitoring coral reef restoration projects, utilizing our project as a case study
Viktoria Sturm, MSc (University of Bremen)
Viktoria Sturm is trialing the Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) for her Master’s thesis in partnership with Nature Seychelles, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) and the University of Konstanz.
This study involves exposing fragments from four species of reef-building corals from each stage of the coral restoration process (donor site, nursery site and outplanting site) under different temperature treatments (control, +4°C, +6°C, +9°C) and measuring their photosynthetic efficiency. This analysis aims to better understand how thermal tolerances in corals are maintained under different environments and stages in a coral restoration project and how far pre-screening can inform and improve restoration efforts to offer insight for practitioners, researchers, and conservationists.
Emily Croasdale, MSc (University of Amsterdam)
Listening to the reef: assessing coral restoration efficacy using soundscape data and machine
learning
This project encourages stakeholders’ training and collaboration.
Collaboration with Raffles Seychelles
We have partnered with Raffles in Seychelles to train international and local staff in coral restoration techniques while actively restoring the reef at Anse Takamaka, Praslin, Seychelles. Raffles has developed a restoration project as part of their sustainability strategy to restore the reef in front of the guest’s beach and to spread awareness on this and other environment initiatives. Since 17 staff have been trained and 196 frames with over 4,000 corals planted.
The project has continued with its publicity efforts locally and international.
See some highlights:
Watch (videos)
Galileo Science Programme (in German, shown on ProSieben TV network)
Arbeiten im Paradies: Mit Zahnbürste und Spezialbeton gegen das Korallensterben
France TV (In French – Reef Rescuers starts at 32:05) Échappées belles – Les Seychelles, précieuse nature
TF1 Info (In French – Reef Rescuers starts at 3:10) Seychelles : le sanctuaire des oiseaux et des tortues
RTE NEWS –
Seychelles: The disappearing islands
CGTN News coverage – Talk Africa: Seychelles facing climate change
DW Documentary – Paradise at risk
READ
(Regional & International Articles)
TRT Afrika – Seychelles: How climate change is hurting island nations
Press Release: Africa’s first regenerative coral aquaculture facility is being built on Praslin Island
• Adaptation Fund
• Carbon Pulse
• We Are Aquaculture
World oceans Day Press Release CMA CGM: CMA CGM continues with its commitment to restoring coral reefs
(Local Articles)
Seychelles News Agency
Première installation d’aquaculture régénératrice de coraux en Afrique en cours de construction
Nature Seychelles outplanted 4,000 corals in Cousin Island Special Reserve in 2022
Heat-resilient “super corals”: Nature Seychelles setting up aquaculture farm for future corals
Nature Seychelles: Success in boutique restoration method of corals for hotels
World Oceans Day – 5 Ways Seychelles Is Working to Protect Its Underwater Life
Seychelles Nation
Africa’s first regenerative coral aquaculture facility being built on Praslin island
When a Hotel Saves Marine Life
1 talk presented at the The 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium South Africa in 2022
3 talks and 5 posters presented at the 1st Seychelles Marine Science Symposium, 2024
2 talks presented at the European Coral Reef Symposium (2024) and 2 at the IMCC7
3 talks and 5 posters accepted for the Reef Future 2024, Mexico, 9 – 13th December
Between 2021-2024 the project has built 6 midwater floating nurseries and stocked it with 11458 coral fragments of 6 genera.
Currently 0.5 ha has been outplanted with over 10,000 corals in 4 outplanting sites using the cementing and coral frames methods.
- Under an MoU with regional project partner, Shoals Rodrigues, one team member received coral restoration for 1 month
- 25 Volunteer scientific divers have be trained in coral restoration (21 females and 4 males)
- 1 student from Vijay International School on work attachment was trained on coral ecology and restoration
- SCUBA diving training has been provided to 4 students from Praslin International school in collaboration with Whitetip dive centre
- Junior Reef Rescuers field-based workshop on reef ecology and restoration was held for 10 young members of the local watersport centre (Grand Anse, Praslin, Seychelles)
Current collaborations
Demi Damstra, MSc
Demi Damstra, a student from the University of Groningen, is looking at the effectiveness of different outplanting patterns including the comparison between entire nursery-grown coral vs fragments collected from nursery-grown colonies. If the experiment is successful, we will be able to outplant many more fragments originating from our nurseries.
Charlotte Dale, MSc
Charlotte is a student from Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh) working on the comparison of stocking techniques to implement the productivity and success of the coral nursery phase.
Coastruction
We have partnered with Coastruction, a company focused on the 3D printing of artificial structures (AS). We are testing materials and shapes to find the most ecological functioning strategy to include the use of AS in the restoration project. If you want to be part of this initiative you can visit the following link and support the project with a donation.
Dr. Luca Fallati, PhD (University of Milano-Bicocca)
Photogrammetry is among the novel monitoring techniques in coral restoration. We have partnered with an international expert to obtain the best quality of data to study the success of coral restoration over time using advanced technological tools.
Dr. Giovanni Strona (University of Helsinki)
Dr. Giovanni Strona is lending his expertise to support the statistical analysis and interpretation of ecological data within our coral restoration project.
Dr. Michael Bell (Heriot-Watt University)
Dr. Michael Bell has been actively involved in assisting with data analysis and the design of experiments for Ms. Dale’s research project.
Dr. Nico Fassbender (University of Western Australia)
Dr. Nico Fassbender is contributing to our team by utilizing BRUVS (Baited Remote Underwater Video System) for evaluating fish biomass, diversity, and abundance at our project sites.
Lucas Bernardi, MSc (University of Milano-Bicocca)
Mr. Bernardi’s objective was to evaluate the potential applications and constraints of underwater photogrammetry in monitoring coral reef restoration projects, utilizing our project as a case study
Viktoria Sturm (University of Bremen)
Viktoria Sturm is trialing the Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) for her Master’s thesis in partnership with Nature Seychelles, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) and the University of Konstanz.
This study involves exposing fragments from four species of reef-building corals from each stage of the coral restoration process (donor site, nursery site and outplanting site) under different temperature treatments (control, +4°C, +6°C, +9°C) and measuring their photosynthetic efficiency. This analysis aims to better understand how thermal tolerances in corals are maintained under different environments and stages in a coral restoration project and how far pre-screening can inform and improve restoration efforts to offer insight for practitioners, researchers, and conservationists.
Emily Croasdale (University of Amsterdam, University College London, University of Lancaster)
Listening to the reef: assessing coral restoration efficacy using soundscape data and machine
learning
This project encourages stakeholders’ training and collaboration.
Collaboration with Raffles Seychelles
We have partnered with Raffles in Seychelles to train international and local staff in coral restoration techniques while actively restoring the reef at Anse Takamaka, Praslin, Seychelles. Raffles has developed a restoration project as part of their sustainability strategy to restore the reef in front of the guest’s beach and to spread awareness on this and other environment initiatives. Since 17 staff have been trained and 196 frames with over 4,000 corals planted.
The project has continued with its publicity efforts locally and international.
In addition to the mid-water nurseries, we have began the construction of a coral aquaculture facility on Praslin Island. Known as the Assisted Recovery of Coral (ARC) facility, this will be Africa’s first on-land regenerative coral aquaculture farm. It is set to revolutionize coral reef conservation and restoration by using a novel technique called micro-fragmentation to produce thousands of coral fragments to supplement current ocean-based nurseries. The facility is financially supported by the Adaptation Fund, the global shipping and logistics company CMA CGM, and the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT).
Current collaborations
Demi Damstra, MSc
Demi Damstra, a student from the University of Groningen, is looking at the effectiveness of different outplanting patterns including the comparison between entire nursery-grown coral vs fragments collected from nursery-grown colonies. If the experiment is successful, we will be able to outplant many more fragments originating from our nurseries.
Charlotte Dale, MSc
Charlotte is a student from Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh) working on the comparison of stocking techniques to implement the productivity and success of the coral nursery phase.
Coastruction
We have partnered with Coastruction, a company focused on the 3D printing of artificial structures (AS). We are testing materials and shapes to find the most ecological functioning strategy to include the use of AS in the restoration project. If you want to be part of this initiative you can visit the following link and support the project with a donation.
Dr. Luca Fallati, PhD (University of Milano-Bicocca)
Photogrammetry is among the novel monitoring techniques in coral restoration. We have partnered with an international expert to obtain the best quality of data to study the success of coral restoration over time using advanced technological tools.
Dr. Giovanni Strona (University of Helsinki)
Dr. Giovanni Strona is lending his expertise to support the statistical analysis and interpretation of ecological data within our coral restoration project.
Dr. Michael Bell (Heriot-Watt University)
Dr. Michael Bell has been actively involved in assisting with data analysis and the design of experiments for Ms. Dale’s research project.
Dr. Nico Fassbender (University of Western Australia)
Dr. Nico Fassbender is contributing to our team by utilizing BRUVS (Baited Remote Underwater Video System) for evaluating fish biomass, diversity, and abundance at our project sites.
Lucas Bernardi, MSc (University of Milano-Bicocca)
Mr. Bernardi’s objective was to evaluate the potential applications and constraints of underwater photogrammetry in monitoring coral reef restoration projects, utilizing our project as a case study
Viktoria Sturm (University of Bremen)
Viktoria Sturm is trialing the Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) for her Master’s thesis in partnership with Nature Seychelles, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) and the University of Konstanz.
This study involves exposing fragments from four species of reef-building corals from each stage of the coral restoration process (donor site, nursery site and outplanting site) under different temperature treatments (control, +4°C, +6°C, +9°C) and measuring their photosynthetic efficiency. This analysis aims to better understand how thermal tolerances in corals are maintained under different environments and stages in a coral restoration project and how far pre-screening can inform and improve restoration efforts to offer insight for practitioners, researchers, and conservationists.
Emily Croasdale (University of Amsterdam, University College London, University of Lancaster)
Listening to the reef: assessing coral restoration efficacy using soundscape data and machine
learning
This project encourages stakeholders’ training and collaboration.
Collaboration with Raffles Seychelles
We have partnered with Raffles in Seychelles to train international and local staff in coral restoration techniques while actively restoring the reef at Anse Takamaka, Praslin, Seychelles. Raffles has developed a restoration project as part of their sustainability strategy to restore the reef in front of the guest’s beach and to spread awareness on this and other environment initiatives. Since 17 staff have been trained and 196 frames with over 4,000 corals planted.
