Project title: Empowering Community-Led Coral Reef Restoration and Prioritization in the Maldives

Project lead: Prof. Peter Harrison

Co-applicants: Aya Naseem, Hana Amir, Nizam Ibrahim, Dr. Christopher Doropoulos, Prof. Cynthia Riginos, Prof. Mark Gibbs, Prof. Matthew Dunbabin

Countries involved: Maldives and Australia

Takes place: Maldives

Supporting institutions: Southern Cross University, Maldives Coral Institute, Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, Rathafandhoo Council – South Huvadhu Atoll, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, University of Queensland, Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Queensland University of Technology

Total budget: USD $1,499,988.00

Duration: 36 months

Project overview

Lasting coral reef ecosystems depend on healthy adult corals but also on the arrival and settlement of new individuals. As reef-building coral populations decline, natural larval supply and recruitment consequently reduces, which has a negative impact on coral cover and ecosystem resilience. Previous restoration efforts in the Maldives, have been primarily undertaken by NGOs and resorts using methods that do not favor genetic diversity – critical for coral reef resilience and long-term survival.

This project aims to address this issue by enhancing restoration projects based on sexual reproduction instead of asexual reproduction. The idea is to improve the efficiency of coral spawn collection, mass larval production, settlement rates, and the survival of recruits. For this purpose, the team will develop and implement a locally co-designed decision framework for selecting optimal reefs for spawn collection, informed by thermal mapping and oceanographic models. An artificial intelligence system — with specific hardware and interface software — will be tailored to the needs of Maldivian stakeholders, empowering them to collect high-resolution spatial data and, thus, increasing their monitoring efficiency.

The research team intends to train local stakeholders in the Maldives on how to use fine mesh nets to capture coral eggs and sperm, which will be crucial to produce robust, genetically diverse coral larvae. Moreover, the training session will also focus on the use of technological tools, such as AI, satellite imaging, and a remote-controlled submersible robot boat used to map reefs – the LarvaLBot. Trainees will then be able to monitor coral bleaching responses, and assess genetic diversity of corals. Expected outcomes include optimized methods for large-scale larval production and coral restoration (transferable to other regions), and the establishment of a national coral restoration network in the Maldives for sustainable recovery efforts.

Specific objectives

1. Transfer successful larval restoration methods developed in the Philippines and on the Great Barrier Reef to the Maldives’ community.
2. Establish networks of restoration practitioners, and capacity-building training involving local stakeholders and leading experts.

How the objectives will be met

To enhance larval restoration methods, this project will unfold in 5 research phases:

• Site selection: identify coral larva source sites and recipient restoration sites within four Maldivian atolls, based on bleaching responses, genetic diversity, and oceanographic models.
• Coral monitoring: monitor sexual reproduction in key coral reefs and optimize collection of coral spawning.
• Larval production: generate large numbers of genetically diverse larvae in culture pools to enhance survival rates.
• Deployment: the new floating ‘LarvalBot’ will deliver larvae to their new homes, ensuring efficient and targeted restoration.
• Monitoring success: assess survival and growth of coral larvae and recruits to re-establish breeding populations and improve larval supply across reef areas.

To build local capacity, the first step will be to identify and invite key stakeholders in the region to engage with this project. Their involvement will include the co-design of the annual research plans and the preparation of training materials. Regular communications will be maintained with this network in order to ensure a successful knowledge transfer.

Impact of the project

This project aims to enhance larval restoration success at larger scales, developing a network of expert coral practitioners in the Maldives. Once completed, this project will have a broad impact, including the successful restoration of coral populations in the study sites. The spawning of restored populations and larval dispersal will further enable extensive restoration outcomes across interconnected reefs. This replicable model for optimized larval restoration can be applied to other reef areas globally.

Engaging local researchers and stakeholders will foster the continued application of larval restoration methods throughout the Maldives, enhancing the project’s sustainability and potential for long-term impact beyond its lifespan.

Major highlights

• Establishment of a national coral restoration practitioner network in the Maldives.
• Transfer of successful larval restoration techniques from the Philippines and the Great Barrier Reef to the Maldives.
• Comprehensive training programs designed to empower local communities and stakeholders.
• Innovative coral larvae deployment methods to enhance restoration outcomes.
• Gender equality programs will be integrated, promoting an inclusive approach to restoration efforts.

In 2024:

✅ Monitored coral bleaching impacts in the Maldives.
✅ Trained local partners in coral spawning, larval rearing, and deployment of heat-resistant corals.

To learn more about this project, watch the episode 6 of our web series.