Coral Restoration Feridhoo
is the 1st coral gardening project aimed at restoring the damaged reefs around Feridhoo island
Headquartered in Feridhoo Island, Alif-Alif Atoll, Maldives.
We are located inside the village a short step from the harbor, and more precisely at the NOOHIRI Diving & Water Sport Center, a PADI 5 stars resort organizing differentes type of aquatic activities.
Maldives: present, past & future
The Republic of Maldives consists of a chain of atolls that form a coral reef system that is critical to the nation's survival. Prior to the 1990s, the Maldives' coral cover ranged from 40 to 80%. However, coral cover has been severely impacted as a result of two mass bleaching events (1998 and 2016) and minor bleaching episodes in between. Branching corals, in particular, had a mortality rate of more than 98%. This dramatic situation, however, has proven that if action is taken, it will not be permanent, as evidenced by the slow and partial recovery of the Acroporid and Pocilloporid communities in 2015. Aside from the bleaching effect, maldivian coral reefs are still subject to natural and anthropogenic stressors that affect their health. Other stressors threatening reef health include coastal development, pollution, overfishing, and diseases.
Our action to restore the reef
From this need, we decided to stop prattling and start the Coral Restoration Project, an action plan aiming at involving students, universities, locals and even tourists to rebuild the damaged coral reefs. We first select sheltered areas with optimal conditions. Overthere, we install nursery structures, where small coral fragments could grow faster than they would do in nature. Once ready, we carefully transplant them in the suffering reef, to restore it. We are collaborating with the Council of Feridhoo and with the University of Padova.
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