Coral Conservation Project
We are an official partner of the Coral Conservation Project, an initiative launched in 2009 by Planhotel Hospitality Group and the University of Milano-Bicocca.
We actively support the conservation and restoration of coral reefs in the Maldives.
Coral reefs are one of the richest ecosystems on the planet and often referred to as “rainforests of the sea”. Unfortunately, these magnificent structures, home to thousands of fish, corals and countless other sea creatures are in danger!
In the last few years coral reefs around the world have declined at an alarming rate.
When conventional conservation measures are not enough to save a coral reef, active coral restoration or rehabilitation comes into play.
By actively growing and planting new corals on degraded reefs we can kickstart recovery and give nature a chance to adapt and thrive again.
Coral Nursery Project
The coral nursery project serves as a larger scale restoration project for Athuruga house reef. Underwater structures have been built around the island to serve as so called coral nurseries. In these structures, thousands of coral fragments are growing on ropes in mid-water, providing optimal conditions for corals like plenty of light and water flow as well as protection from reef predators and sedimentation.
Thanks to the good nursing conditions, corals have a higher survival rate and grow faster than on the reef. After about one year in the nursery, the corals are big and strong enough to be transplanted on Athuruga house reef.
Coral Cookie Club
Sometimes we find coral pieces that have been broken off by careless tourists or marine predators. As these fragments are not likely to survive, they are collected to give them “a second chance”. Therefore, fragments are glued on a cement “cookie”, which acts as an anchor for the coral and increases its chances of survival on the reef.
