Why Is Coral Restoration Important?

Coral reefs, covering less than 0.1 percent of the world’s ocean, play a crucial role in supporting marine biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services for human well-being. However, they face unprecedented threats, with up to 90 percent projected to be lost by 2050 due to climate change and human activities. Around the Gili Islands in Indonesia, over 50% of coral coverage has already been lost, signaling an urgent need for restoration efforts.

Coral reef restoration offers a lifeline to threatened species and provides hope for coral adaptation to changing environmental conditions. The restoration process involves securing broken corals to ensure their survival. Corals primarily reproduce asexually, allowing individual polyps to create new colonies.

Our Impact

By March 2025, we have restored 700+ square meters of coral reef, deployed 250+ artificial reef structures, and attached 4500+ coral fragments, contributing to the revival of marine ecosystems and bolstering biodiversity.

Additionally, we established an Underwater Science Lab that features five coral restoration research methods: coral tables with plugs, coral ropes, coral trees, vertical tables, and horizontal tables. The variety of research methods in our lab enables us to study the most effective techniques for this specific location, including growth and mortality rates, disease management, and competition with other organisms. This research not only informs our restoration efforts but also provides Coral Catch Superwomen with valuable knowledge on different methods for future restoration projects, empowering them to make informed decisions when setting up and monitoring their own restoration sites.

How Do We Restore The Reefs ?

1. Coral Growth Monitoring

Coral reef farming, also known as coral aquaculture, is recognized as a vital solution for habitat rebuilding and reducing overfishing pressures. Our coral nurseries serve as staging areas for rehabilitating damaged corals. Once mature, these corals are transplanted by our Coral Catch Superwomen onto damaged reefs and artificial structures.

We conduct weekly visits to our Marine Science Lab and restoration site for data collection and maintenance. Monitoring coral growth allows us to enhance fish breeding, aggregation, and diversity, focusing on species crucial for the local consumption market, such as grouper and snapper. Our monitoring methods include Underwater Photo Transect (UPT), Underwater Visual Census (UVC), weekly time-lapse imaging of hex domes, Remote Underwater Video (RUV), and manual measurements using vernier calipers for growth rates.

2. Structure Maintenance

Maintaining artificial reef structures is essential to ensure optimal coral growth. Sructures can accumulate marine debris, sediment, and algae over time, which can hinder coral growth and compromise the effectiveness of our restoration efforts. We conduct regular cleaning sessions to remove these contaminants and ensure that our structures remain clean and conducive to coral settlement and growth.

3. Coral Area Extension

Expanding coral restoration areas is vital for restoring habitats impacted by human activities. We plan and conduct the collection of healthy coral fragments to restore historically impacted habitats. Periodically, we transfer mature corals from our Marine Science Lab to the permanent restoration site to enhance reef resilience and biodiversity.

Clean-up Initiatives

In addition to our coral restoration efforts, Coral Catch is dedicated to preserving marine ecosystems by conducting regular beach and underwater clean-up activities. Every week, our Superwomen organize clean-up events with the goal of removing marine debris and waste from coastal areas and underwater environments around the Gili Islands.

Our commitment to coral restoration extends beyond mere rehabilitation; we strive to create resilient ecosystems that can withstand future challenges and support marine life for generations to come. Join us in our efforts to protect and restore coral reefs, ensuring a sustainable future for our oceans.

What Are Our Goals for 2030?

Protecting and restoring the coral reefs of Indonesia.