Project title: Restoration Road Maps: Improving coral restoration and capacity of managers in the Caribbean and MPAConnect Network

Project lead: Dr. Patricia Kramer

Co-applicants: Simon Walsh, Alizee Zimmermann, Dr. Stacey Williams, Lynnette Roth, Dr. Elvira Alvarado, Dr. Arthur Gleason, Dr. Michelle Dennis, Emma Doyle, Gabriela Ochoa, Dr. Judith Lang, Dr. Anastazia Banaszak

Countries involved: United States of America, Dominica, United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Mexico, Australia, Colombia

Takes place: Caribbean Region

Supporting institutions: Ocean Research and Education Foundation (AGRRA), Dominica Local Area Management Authority, Turks & Caicos Reef Fund, Institute for Socio-Ecological Research (ISER), ECOMARES Foundation, University of Miami, University of Tennessee, MPAConnect/Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Roatan Marine Park, National Autonomous University of Mexico

Total budget: USD $970,200.00

Duration: August 2023 – August 2026

Project overview

Coral reefs in the Caribbean are critically endangered by climate change, pollution, the spread of diseases, among other factors. While the region is home to several coral restoration projects, there is an urgent need to scale up innovative coral rescue efforts across the marine protected areas network involving a wider group of stakeholders, to save corals from functional extinction. In response to a severe outbreak of the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) and coral bleaching events in the Caribbean, there is an urgent need to expand coral rescue in this region.

This project aims to reverse coral reef decline by fostering collaboration among scientists, resource managers and communities. Together, these stakeholders are sharing technical expertise and scaling up regional restoration efforts by implementing science-based and management-relevant coral restoration roadmaps and actions. This includes expanding coral breeding techniques in the region to enhance natural recruitment and repopulate more coral reefs. The team also aims at experimenting techniques to reduce coral bleaching stress as well as to increase the number of coral rescue facilities and coral biobanks in the region, safeguarding coral genetic diversity.

Specific objectives

1. Develop restoration strategies for coral species threatened by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), focusing on species highly susceptible to this disease, and at high risk of genetic loss and functional extinction. Endemic species will also be particularly targeted.
2. Enhance the capacity of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) managers to execute meaningful restoration initiatives targeting high-risk corals across the Caribbean.

How the objectives will be met

To meet the overarching objectives the team will:

1. Identify and characterize restoration sites in the Caribbean and MPA Connect Network:
   • Synthesize coral reef data and identify restoration sites based on their biological and ecological condition, MPA governance, and socio-economic condition, among other criteria.
   • Develop a MPA Connect Network Database and database on coral spawning.
2. Develop Restoration Road Maps:
   • Develop the Restoration Road Maps and the Restoration Roadmap Evaluation Tool with Create Caribbean and MPA Connect managers
   • Identify four to five MPAs ready for restoration as demonstration sites.
3. Promote capacity-development and knowledge sharing: virtual and in-person training sessions with representatives from all over the region will cover various topics, including:
   • Coral reef monitoring.
   • Photomosaic monitoring.
   • Coral spawning and larval propagation.
   • Coral fragmentation/ herbivore propagation.
4. Demonstration projects: implement coral restoration at four to five MPA sites in the Caribbean and evaluate outcomes using the Restoration Roadmap Evaluation Tool.
5. Communication and outreach:
   • Develop educational materials for wide dissemination and use, including videos, maps, and dashboards.
   • Facilitate peer-to-peer learning exchanges and host a final project review meeting.

    

   Impact of the project

   This project will develop strategies to restore coral species threatened by SCTLD and build capacity within MPA managers all across the Caribbean region to execute those strategies, ultimately contributing to efficient, sustainable reef restoration efforts across the Caribbean. This project leverages a network with representatives from more than 40 MPAs spanning 18 Caribbean countries.

    

   Major highlights

   • Development of Restoration Road Maps for MPA managers.
   • Successful implementation of coral restoration at 4-5 demonstration sites.
   • Capacity building for over 25-35 MPA managers and regional stakeholders.
   • Involvement of representatives from more than 40 MPA spanning 18 countries.

    

   In 2024:

   ✅ Hosted a webinar for all CORDAP-funded Caribbean projects.
   ✅ Hosted 30 marine resource managers and restoration practitioners from 16 countries.
   ✅ Organized 5 workshops and training courses, reaching over 200 participants.