Against all odds
We realize positive change
Half of the world’s coral reefs – our most biodiverse ecosystems – have disappeared! Traditional conservation is failing because the true value of reefs remains hidden. Involving local people directly with reef restoration shows that positive change is possible and connects a broader public with the fate of reefs.
4 steps
Coral gardening
Corals are cultured under good growing conditions in nursery structures on the ocean bottom. Broken fragments (for example by destructive fishing or storms) are collected from the reef to fill these nurseries. The rescued fragments are grown into large, healthy corals within 6 – 12 months.
artificial reef placement
Corals need to attach themselves to something stable to be able to grow. Sometimes, reefs are so degraded that only loose rubble remains. In these cases, artificial reefs are placed to offer a stable place for corals to grow.
outplanting healthy coral
Once the corals in the nursery have grown large enough, they can be outplanted onto artificial reefs. There are many different ways to attach corals to a reef, including use of glue, cramming or even drilling. At REEFolution we achieved the most successful attachment when using (biodegradable) tie-wraps.
Inspire broader conservation
Restoration is just one technique to conserve coral reefs. The best results will be achieved when combining different methods. Therefore, REEFolution aims to couple restoration to more traditional conservation actions such as fisheries management and pollution control. Crucially, also global climate action needs to be taken to keep the oceans suitable for coral reefs.
Coral gardening
Corals are cultured under good growing conditions in nursery structures on the ocean bottom. Broken fragments (for example by destructive fishing or storms) are collected from the reef to fill these nurseries. The rescued fragments are grown into large, healthy corals within 6 – 12 months.
artificial reef placement
Corals need to attach themselves to something stable to be able to grow. Sometimes, reefs are so degraded that only loose rubble remains. In these cases, artificial reefs are placed to offer a stable place for corals to grow.
outplanting healthy coral
Once the corals in the nursery have grown large enough, they can be outplanted onto artificial reefs. There are many different ways to attach corals to a reef, including use of glue, cramming or even drilling. At REEFolution we achieved the most successful attachment when using (biodegradable) tie-wraps.
Inspire broader conservation
Restoration is just one technique to conserve coral reefs. The best results will be achieved when combining different methods. Therefore, REEFolution aims to couple restoration to more traditional conservation actions such as fisheries management and pollution control. Crucially, also global climate action needs to be taken to keep the oceans suitable for coral reefs.
In Numbers
How we take action
The reefolution
blueprint
reef rangers
REEFolution offers a 3-month REEF Ranger program which is aimed to provide practical diving and coral restoration skills to local community members.
Read morereef rangers
coral restoration
Our REEF Rangers actively restore coral reefs using a variety of different science-based methods.
Read morecoral restoration
education
Our REEF Rangers visit local primary and secondary schools to provide marine animal ecology classes aimed to increase local awareness.
Read moreeducation
science
Our REEF Rangers collaborate with international scientists aimed to investigate new coral restoration methods
Read morescience
Dive in & learn what
you can do
The planet needs a healthy ocean to survive and so do we. REEFolution can’t save coral reefs on its own. Our successes are possible thanks to the generosity of our donors.