Caribbean Reef
Project
Puerto Rico + Caribe.
photo: Pichon Duarte
Caribbean Reef Project
​The Caribbean Reef Project is a collaborative effort by organizations in the wider Caribbean to restore over 5 acres of Coral Reef in Puerto Rico using a holistic approach that restores both the habitat and its organisms. This approach, called ecosystem-based restoration, incorporates the restoration of important organisms, such as plant-eating (herbivorous) sea urchins and crabs, along with corals to bring balance to coral reef ecosystems and restore both physical structure and the services that these habitats provide to humans and the natural world.
Specifically, we plan to restore 5 coral reefs located in Fajardo, La Parguera and Rincón through planting 124,000 coral fragments, 9,600 sea urchin, and 600 crabs. This project also allows us to expand the capacity of our land-based nurseries at both CIROM facilities. The Caribbean Reef project also includes multiple outreach and educational aspects including the creation and distribution of coast specific coral reef guidebooks, stakeholder workshops and instructional videos on restoration techniques, a short documentary film on coral restoration with screenings throughout the island, and volunteer restoration events with decision makers throughout Puerto Rico.
This project is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Restoration Center. It is in partnership with: the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Department of Marine Sciences, Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources, HJR Reefscaping, Isla Mar Research Expeditions, Sea Ventures, Puerto Rico Sea Grant, Puerto Rico Surfrider, Mote Marine Labs, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Puerto Morelos, the State of Hawai’i Division of Aquatic Resources, and Aquatic Innovations.​​
Additional Accomplishments
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Created the first program for the sexual reproduction of corals in Puerto Rico
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Developed a new crab nursery and expanded CIROM facilities to produce more animals for restoration
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Hosted workshops to teach other organizations in the Caribbean about our restoration techniques
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Impacted 43 communities through education and outreach activities
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Rescued Endangered Species Act listed coral colonies
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Presented the Project’s accomplishments at the Reef Futures and AMLC Scientific Conferences
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Ocean Optimism Workshop hosted by partner, Isla Mar
Our Partners
