Coral reefs worldwide face an urgent crisis. The Maldives, home to some of the most beautiful and diverse underwater ecosystems, is no exception. Climate change poses a serious threat to these vital ecosystems, making innovative solutions crucial. From 9th to 12th January, 2025, the Soneva Foundation Coral Restoration programme gathered key figures in marine science, conservation, and finance to discuss the future of coral restoration. This pivotal event took place at Soneva Fushi in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Baa Atoll.
Professor Callum Roberts from the University of Exeter and Karen Sack, Executive Director of the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), co-facilitated the Soneva Dialogue on Coral Reef Restoration and Resilience. Over three days, experts explored the devastating effects of climate change on coral ecosystems. They also discussed cutting-edge restoration techniques being tested at Soneva Fushi and beyond. The event culminated in a powerful declaration that called for immediate and large-scale action. This declaration emphasized the critical need to secure coral reefs’ survival globally.
A Declaration for Change
The declaration issued by the experts stresses the urgent need for bold interventions. Indeed, the majority of the world’s tropical reefs face the risk of disappearing within the next few decades. Experts proposed innovative financial mechanisms to secure the necessary funding for restoration efforts. These mechanisms included blue bonds and insurance models, which could unlock critical resources for coral regeneration on a global scale.
Professor Callum Roberts highlighted the critical need for a strategic shift:
“Scientific research and practical experience tell us that now is the time to shift focus from restoration to regeneration, combining resource-intensive local projects with large-scale ocean management and protection to promote reef recovery and resilience. Coral restoration has mainly looked backward, aiming to restore what was lost. It now needs to pivot to a future-focused approach, seeking and developing combinations of corals and other marine species that will maintain reef functionality and resilience under changing future conditions.”
The Crisis of Coral Reefs and the Need for Innovation
The crisis facing coral reefs is not confined to the Maldives alone. It is, in fact, a global emergency. Consequently, Karen Sack of ORRAA remarked:
“Corals are in crisis worldwide, and if we are to have any chance of saving reefs at any scale, we must rapidly advance regeneration efforts. This requires the urgent scaling up of finance to fund these vital natural treasures. If we want coral reefs to survive, we are going to have to find novel ways to pay for them. The ORRAA looks forward to working with our members, partners, and the scientific community to take the ideas developed at the Soneva Dialogue forward.”
The Soneva Foundation Coral Restoration programme, led by Dr. Johanna Leonhardt, remains on the front lines of this fight. As a coral biologist, Dr. Leonhardt has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of marine heatwaves and coral bleaching in the Maldives.
Despite these challenges, she remains committed to regenerating the coral ecosystems. Dr. Leonhardt remarked:
“As a coral biologist, I witness the tragic impacts of marine heatwaves firsthand, with bleaching causing significant coral degradation here in the Maldives. However, we are not giving up on this crucial ecosystem. We have a coral spawning lab, outplanting efforts, and coral nurseries, and we are fully focused on regenerating resilient corals to ensure they are not lost forever.”
The Soneva Dialogue declaration underscores the stark reality that coral reefs around the world have already lost half of their living coral cover. Without urgent action to limit global warming to 1.5°C, this loss will only accelerate. However, the declaration also offers a glimmer of hope. It calls for bold, innovative solutions to sustain coral reef resilience in the face of escalating climate threats. At the heart of this vision is financing, which will need to be on an unprecedented scale to regenerate these invaluable ecosystems.
The Soneva Foundation’s Role in Coral Restoration
As the world grapples with the growing threat to coral reefs, the efforts spearheaded by the Soneva Foundation offer a beacon of hope. Since its inception in 2010, the foundation has led environmental initiatives, combining social, economic, and ecological goals. Through innovative impact investing principles, the foundation has reinvested in vital projects like coral restoration. This ensures that these crucial ecosystems thrive for future generations.
Furthermore, the Soneva Foundation’s Coral Restoration programme, anchored at the AquaTerra science center in Soneva Fushi, leads the charge in the Maldives. With the largest coral restoration facility in the Indian Ocean, it plays a key role in the region’s efforts to regenerate coral reefs. By blending in-situ and ex-situ restoration methods, the programme continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in reef regeneration. This work offers a glimmer of hope for fragile ecosystems facing unprecedented challenges.
