Sustainable Coral Solutions

Coral Garden Conservation

Sustainable Coral Solutions

This innovative, sustainable solution offers cost-effective, resilient coral conservation—vital as coral reefs rapidly decline across the globe.

Le Morne, Mauritius

MUS

Nonprofit

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Coral reefs are declining at an alarming rate, with over 50% lost globally due to climate change, pollution, and overexploitation. This decline threatens the livelihoods of over 1 billion people who rely on reef ecosystems for food, coastal protection, and income, particularly in Small Island Developing States like Mauritius. Locally, reef degradation is accelerating due to rising sea temperatures and coastal development, severely impacting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Our team addresses this urgent challenge by promoting resilient coral reef restoration through enhanced natural coral propagation. Traditional coral substrates are costly, fragile, or ecologically limited. We are introducing an innovative substrate, FG (made from recycled glass), which is sustainable, low-cost, and effective in promoting coral settlement and survival. FG has proven superior to conventional substrates in lab and field tests, showing higher coral larvae attachment rates, improved juvenile survival, and fostering beneficial microorganisms that signal coral settlement. Its porous structure mimics natural reef complexity, enhancing resilience through both sexual and asexual coral propagation. By deploying FG in Mauritius—with potential for upscaling across the Western Indian Ocean—we aim to support large-scale reef recovery and long-term ecosystem sustainability, directly benefiting vulnerable coastal communities.

Our solution is FG, a green, sustainable coral substrate made from repurposed glass through recycling, designed to enhance coral reef restoration through both sexual and asexual propagation. Unlike traditional substrates such as terracotta or cement, FG is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and performs exceptionally well in both lab and field conditions. FG is shaped into free structures, plates and as artificial reef structures, and placed in areas targeted for reef restoration. During coral spawning events, coral larvae naturally settle onto these structures. FG’s porous surface—rich in silica and calcium carbonate—creates ideal conditions for larvae to attach, settle, and grow. Its varying pore sizes also provide shelter, increasing juvenile survival by protecting them from predators and environmental stress. In addition, FG fosters colonization by beneficial organisms like crustose coralline algae, bacteria, and plankton, which release natural chemical cues that attract coral larvae. These biological interactions increase settlement success and long-term coral resilience. This technology can be locally produced using waste glass, supporting circular economy principles and community-based restoration. Our team is currently deploying FG in Mauritius, with plans to scale across the Western Indian Ocean.

Our solution serves coastal communities in Mauritius and the wider Western Indian Ocean region, where livelihoods, food security, and coastal protection heavily depend on healthy coral reefs. These communities, particularly small-scale fishers and tourism operators, are increasingly vulnerable as reef degradation accelerates due to climate change and local stressors. Many lack access to affordable, effective reef restoration tools and are underserved by traditional conservation methods that are often costly, complex, or reliant on external expertise. By introducing FG, a low-cost, sustainable coral substrate, we empower local stakeholders to actively participate in reef restoration using accessible, scalable technology. FG can be locally produced from waste glass, creating green jobs and fostering circular economy initiatives. It enhances coral settlement and survival, contributing to faster reef regeneration and long-term ecosystem resilience. This directly supports food security, stabilizes local fisheries, protects shorelines from erosion, and strengthens the economic foundation of marine-dependent communities. FG’s dual role in environmental restoration and socio-economic empowerment makes it a transformative solution for underserved coastal populations facing the frontlines of climate and ecological change. Through partnerships with local NGOs, governments, and communities, we aim to build capacity and foster stewardship for a more sustainable, reef-resilient future.