Coral Sonic Resilience part 2:

Claudio Lovato
Mar 13
2 min read

Updated: Mar 14

Sound of Silence

Coral Restoration Feridhoo: Innovation and Community for a Resilient Reef

This project began with a first trial in February 2024, when we tested acoustic enrichment on a small scale. After that initial experiment, the project is now fully set up and ready to move forward as part of the PhD research of Antonio Beggiato, under the supervision of Professor Marco Patruno at the University of Padua.

Coral reef restoration is often seen as a process of “rebuilding”—planting coral fragments, increasing coral cover, and hoping the reef comes back to life. But true resilience depends on more than just coral numbers. Natural processes like larval recruitment and early survival are essential for genetic diversity and long-term recovery.

One fascinating and underused tool in this effort is the reef soundscape. Healthy reefs produce complex acoustic environments that guide coral larvae to settle and help shape marine communities.

In Feridhoo, Maldives, we are testing an innovative approach: acoustic enrichment. By playing recordings from healthy reefs through low-cost underwater systems, we aim to boost coral larval settlement, recruit density, fish abundance, and early coral survival. This shifts restoration from simple “biomass replacement” toward strengthening the reef’s natural resilience.

Powered by Community

This project is not just about science—it’s about people. With the leadership of Mukthar, a Feridhoo-born dive master working with Noohiri Diving, and in collaboration with Coralive, the University of Padua, and the italian artist Marco Barotti we are engaging the local community through workshops and hands-on training.

We will double the capacity of the three existing nurseries, which already host over 1,200 coral fragments from 15 species of Acropora and Pocillopora.

Citizens will learn reef ecology basics, nursery building and maintenance, and transplantation techniques.

Eight scholarships will open opportunities for local youth to join diving courses and practical restoration activities.

Special emphasis will be placed on encouraging young women to participate, helping balance gender representation in diving and marine conservation.

A Sustainable Future for Feridhoo

By combining acoustic technology with local empowerment, Feridhoo becomes a living laboratory of innovation and resilience. This approach ensures that restoration practices are not only effective but also rooted in the community, creating a lasting impact that strengthens the reef’s natural feedback systems.

@Coralive, @unipd, @bca_unipd

Photo & Video: Gabriele Castellani