Coral sample from a nursery in Seychelles

AF-funded Coral Restoration Project

Restoring Marine Ecosystem Services by Rehabilitating Coral Reefs to Meet a Changing Climate Future

Coral Reefs are the foundation of food security and coastal livelihoods in Mauritius and Seychelles. Reefs in the Western Indian Ocean have suffered from negative human-induced impacts, in addition to climate change associated coral bleaching which has caused extreme degradation.

The Adaptation Fund, through a grant of USD 9,132,420 is enabling:

  • The enhancement of food security and reduction of risks from natural disasters through the restoration of degraded reefs in Mauritius and Seychelles;
  • Knowledge management and sharing, training and sensitisation to build regional capacity for sustainable reef restorations;
  • The establishment of coral farming and nursery facilities.

A cost sharing agreement has also been signed with the Government of Mauritius for the setting up of land- based nurseries and seawater pumping system for asexual coral reproduction at the Mauritius Oceanographic Institute and land-based nurseries for sexual reproduction at Albion Fisheries Research Centre.

Partners in Mauritius:

  • Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping
  • Mauritius Oceanography Institute
  • Albion Fisheries Research Centre
  • Eco-Sud
  • Reef Conservation
  • Shoals Rodrigues


Partners in Seychelles

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment
  • Seychelles Parks and Garden Authority
  • Nature Seychelles
  • Marine Conservation Society of Seychelles


Download the project factsheet here.

KEY TARGETS

• At least 3.2 Ha in Mauritius, 1 Ha in Rodrigues and 2.5 Ha in Seychelles of degraded sites restored using farmed corals.

• At least 800 persons with improved livelihoods from coral restoration activities and/or due to the improved coastal and marine ecosystems supported by the restored corals.

• At least 3 published papers on coral reef restoration, with contribution from at least 3 female scientists.

• Ocean nurseries set up in protected areas in Mauritius, Rodrigues and Seychelles using coral fragments.

• At least 10% increase in live coral cover, fish density and diversity in Mauritius and Rodrigues.

• At least one land-based nursery established and operational in Mauritius and one in Seychelles

Project Context

243 km2

of lagoon area in Mauritius enclosed by 150 km of fringing reef.

40-50%

of live coral cover in Mauritius impacted the 2016 global coral bleaching event

60%

of total coral reef area of Seychelles experienced high or extreme bleaching in the 2016 global coral bleaching event

30-88%

reduction in global coral cover by 2100 if temperature rises by 1.1°C to 2.6°C