Land Based Coral Culture for Restoration, Conservation and Education

Coral reefs, though covering just 0.2% of the ocean floor, support nearly 25% of all marine life and are essential for coastal protection, fisheries, and tourism, especially for island nations like Mauritius. Despite their ecological and economic value, these ecosystems are under severe threat from climate change, pollution, and unsustainable human activities.

More alarmingly, several rare and endemic coral species are now at the brink of local extinction. Once common species such as Caulastrea connata (trumpet coral) and Seriatopora hystrix (needle coral) are now rarely encountered, threatening the collapse of entire microhabitats dependent on them. If these corals disappear, so will the marine life they support.

To address this urgent biodiversity crisis, Reef Conservation proposes the establishment of the first Land-Based Coral Sanctuary (LBCS) in Mauritius. Launched in June 2024 at Le Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, Le Morne, this five-year project (2024-2029) is led by Reef Conservation with support from the European Union and Beachcomber Resorts and Hotels. It represents a significant milestone in protecting Mauritius’ unique marine biodiversity while empowering local communities. This unique facility will act as a vital refuge for rare and endangered coral species, offering a controlled environment to nurture and propagate these vulnerable corals away from the growing threats they face in the wild. It will serve as a seedbank for reef restoration and as a platform for community engagement, gender-balanced employment, environmental education, and eco-tourism.

Specific Project Objectives:

1. Survey the lagoons of Mauritius to identify key coral biodiversity hotspots.
2. Establish Vulnerable Marine Conservation Areas (VMCAs) to protect and conserve identified coral biodiversity hotspots.
3. Set up a Land-Based Coral Sanctuary (LBCS) dedicated to the propagation and conservation of rare coral species.
4. Develop and implement a coral collection and monitoring plan for donor coral colonies to ensure sustainable use.
5. Acclimatize coral colonies under controlled conditions before transplantation to designated restoration sites.
6. Conduct coral restoration activities within VMCA sites to rebuild and enhance reef ecosystems.
7. Raise awareness and empower communities by engaging participants through a Citizen Science approach, fostering stewardship and education.

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