We invite you to join us in revisiting the standout moments that made 2023 a year to remember. And to get the full scoop on our collective impact, sign up for our 2023 Impact Report. We’ll drop it in your inbox as soon as it’s ready.

New Faces

This year, our team welcomed fresh perspectives and exceptional talents that have enriched our collective journey. We’re stoked to celebrate the vibrant individuals who joined our ranks, bringing diverse skills, unique insights, and a shared dedication to our mission. 

Our growth extends beyond accomplishments—it’s a reflection of the ever-expanding tapestry of talent and expertise that defines our organization. Join us in welcoming the new voices, skills, and perspectives that have become integral threads in the fabric of our success.

Allie Coleman, Grants Manager

Kate Beebe, Associate Marketing Director

Kat Kelly, Marketing Coordinator

Sarah Severino, Maui Nui Program Manager

Joy Millheim, Virtual Assistant

Cailey Oros, Virtual Assistant

Meet our team >

Fresh Content

Keep reading for our standout articles of 2023 – the hidden treasures in our ocean of content that have defined our year.

Coral Bleaching: Toolkit & Comprehensive Guide

Thanks to our Global Conservation Science team, we have given everyone the opportunity to participate in the recovery of coral reefs during bleaching events. As climate change warms our oceans, we know corals can adapt, but only if we let them.

Read more about the guide here >

Guides and Protocols in the Western Caribbean

Our team in the Western Caribbean was busy in 2023! We all know access to clean water is essential for life, and coral reefs are no different. Securing clean water for reefs is a foundational effort here at CORAL, and our team created the Marine Water Quality Protocol for the Mesoamerican Reef System. 

Check out the protocol here >

Lobster and Conch Protocol

In addition to clean water, coral reefs thrive from their symbiotic relationships with the creatures around them. In the spirit of sustainable fishing practices, our team has also worked diligently on preserving lobsters and conchs, of which both are equally ecologically important for coral reef ecosystems.

Read about the upcoming lobster and conch protocol here >

Protecting Molokai’s Coral Reefs with the Restoration of Ancient Hawaiian Fish Ponds

In 2023 we officially kicked off our partnership with Ka Honua Momona (KHM) in Molokai. KHM staff have lineal ties to this beautiful place and have kuleana (responsibility) in caring for Alii and Kalokoeli fishponds, which are community treasures and sources of education, food, cultural renewal, and connection.

As a result of this project’s efforts to improve habitat for fish and wildlife, we anticipate a simultaneous enhancement of community resilience.

Click to read more about our newest partnership in Molokai >

Coral Reefs in a Changing Climate: Expanding to the Coral Triangle

Unfortunately, coral reefs are also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and more frequent and intense storms. This has led to a decline in the health and resilience of many coral reefs, which in turn has negatively impacted the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them for food, income, and cultural identity.

To address these challenges, a team of researchers from University of Leeds (UK), Coral Reef Alliance (USA), Rare (Philippines & Indonesia), Pattimura University (Indonesia), and many other partners are launching a project in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Read more about our expansion into the Coral Triangle >

Welcoming in 2024

A huge shoutout to everyone who joined us on our incredible journey throughout the past year. Your support, energy, and passion were the driving forces behind every success we celebrated.

As we navigate the new year, we’re buzzing with anticipation for the impact we’ll create together. With fresh challenges and opportunities to safeguard our marine ecosystems, your role in this journey is more vital than ever.

Keep an eye out for our 2023 Impact Report to see the amazing strides we made together. Let’s dive into 2024 with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication. Here’s to continuing our mission and making even bigger waves this year.

The post 2023 Year in Review, Ocean-Style appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

According to a World Bank report, an additional 68 to 135 million people could be pushed into poverty by 2030 because of climate change. As more frequent marine heatwaves endanger the livelihoods and food security of about 1 billion people globally who benefit from coral reef ecosystems, evidence-based adaptation strategies are paramount to ensuring biodiversity protection and sustainable use. Currently, management approaches mostly target reefs less exposed to heat stress but ignore biological and social adaptation that can reduce the risks that climate change poses to sustainable ocean livelihoods.

Climate REEFS will help solve this problem by identifying adaptive reefs from space and by characterizing the social vulnerabilities of different stakeholders, particularly women and marginalized groups. The project will quantify how reef structure predicts species and genetic diversity, which likely links to a reef’s capacity to adapt to climate change. It also aims to develop socially equitable, context-specific climate adaptation pathways.

“Climate REEFS will implement social research to identify the climate vulnerability of coastal communities together with gender and socially inclusive adaptation pathways, geospatial research to detect adaptive reefs from satellite-derived data, and ecological and genomic research to pilot an analysis that tests the interplay of climate change-adaptiveness from genes to people,” said Dr. Maria Beger, University of Leeds, and lead PI of the project. 

“The impacts of climate change are not felt evenly across genders and geographies. It is particularly important to understand how degraded coral reefs are impacting women and other marginalized groups in the Asia Pacific so we can design climate adaptation strategies that support all members of a community,” said Rocky Sanchez Tirona, Managing Director of Rare’s Fish Forever program.

The project aims to work both on local and national levels towards sustainable climate-smart coastal fishing livelihoods. “Climate REEFS will help people in the village get information on the health of their reefs, how they are used, and help develop policies about their future use. Most fishers never see the reef so they don’t realise their impact,” said Professor Gino Limmon, Director of Maritime and Marine Science Center of Excellence at the Pattimura University.

“It is exciting to have this multi-disciplinary team coming together to conduct innovative research that will inform policy and management as well as strengthen science capacity in Indonesia and the Philippines,” said Dr. Helen Fox, Conservation Science Director of the Coral Reef Alliance.  

Climate REEFS is part of CLARE’s first cohort of projects. CLARE is a £110m, UK-Canada framework research programme on Climate Adaptation and Resilience, aiming to enable socially inclusive and sustainable action to build resilience to climate change and natural hazards. CLARE is an initiative jointly designed and run by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and Canada’s International Development Research Centre. CLARE is primarily funded by UK aid from the UK government, along with the International Development Research Centre, Canada.  The project is also funded through FCDO’s £154m COAST programme, which is part of the UK’s £500m Blue Planet Fund portfolio. COAST aims to support climate change adaptation and more prosperous, sustainable, and resilient coastal economies, focusing on protecting and restoring coastal habitats, strengthening the sustainability and climate resilience of small-scale fisheries, unlocking more sustainable aquaculture production, and driving inclusive coastal governance and planning.

Media Contacts:
Kathryn Ashman (comms), Dr. Maria Beger, University of Leeds, K.Ashman@leeds.ac.uk M.Beger@leeds.ac.uk
Zach Lowe, Rare, ZLowe@rare.org
Prandito Simanjuntak, Universitas Pattimura, pranditosimanjuntak@gmail.com  
Kate Beebe, CORAL (Coral Reef Alliance), KBeebe@coral.org

The post “Climate REEFS” Initiative Launched to Advance Equitable Pathways to Climate Adaptation in Asia Pacific appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

For those who are new to our cause, we invite you to be a vital force in protecting coral reefs in 2024 and beyond. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the health of coral reefs.

Let’s explore the concrete outcomes your contributions will bring in 2024:

Your Gift Promotes Clean Water for Reefs and Coastal Communities

Clean ocean water is crucial for the flourishing of coral reefs and the well-being of people. That’s why your support will scale-up our water quality programs in 2024.

In early 2024 we will be sharing the success story of our wastewater pilot project in West End, Roatan with communities across the Western Caribbean.  We are hosting an in-person summit to gather support of funders, development banks, and government stakeholders so that we can scale. We will also be launching an on-line toolkit and guide so that communities have resources to set the stage for large-scale infrastructure improvements. Over the next 6-8 years, while we are building relationships and funding to scale globally, we’ll apply the lessons learned from our successful wastewater pilot project to enhance water quality in 5-7 communities across the Western Caribbean and Hawaii. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that 80% of coastal communities with priority coral reefs have wastewater treatment in place, guaranteeing clean waters for both the reefs and the people who rely on them.

Your Gift Strengthens Sustainable Fisheries 

Coral reefs only thrive when they have healthy fish populations, which keep algal growth in check and provide nutrients for coral growth. That’s why we focus on reducing unsustainable fishing practices.

In 2024 we will be focused on ensuring that all of the marine protected areas (MPAs) and coastal environments where we currently work are appropriately resourced with real-time fisheries data, effective patrols to minimize illegal activities, funding strategies, and proper management plans.  This is critically important over the next year so that coral reefs bounce back from bleaching events. At the same time, we’ll be working towards bold goals to establish newly protected areas. Our ultimate goal is to create networks of effectively managed marine environments that are critical for healthy fisheries and resilient coastal communities.

Your Gift Enhances Coral Resilience to Climate Change 

Our science shows that coral reefs can adapt to climate change if we curb carbon emissions and reduce local threats to coral reefs. Science also shows that greater genetic variability will help corals adapt to these warming temperatures—which is why it is important to protect a wide network of corals, so those that become more heat tolerant can spread their genes.

CORAL is pioneering groundbreaking research with global partners to create a satellite-based tool that can monitor and predict the health and adaptability of coral reefs from space. Success in this endeavor would enable us to offer this innovative tool globally, empowering under-resourced communities with a cost-free resource to streamline their conservation efforts and decision-making processes.

To expand our impact, we’re collaborating with scientists, conservationists, universities, and organizations to share our adaptation research findings and advocate for solutions that harness the power of evolution. Your generosity allows us to build stronger partnerships in the scientific community and contribute to 30 x 30 (30% of oceans protected by 2023) initiatives across the globe.

Your Gift Helps Reduce Sediment Impact on Coral Reefs

In 2024 we will be taking all of the best management practices from our successful watershed restoration project in Maui and expand what we learned to new watersheds and partnerships. We’re collaborating with Ridge to Reef to strengthen their efforts, secure funding, and prioritize sediment reduction across the state.

Our ultimate objective is to share our insights and best practices more broadly across the Hawaiian Islands and the South Pacific. This way, we can assist communities and regions on a larger scale, making a substantial impact on the health of our coral reefs.

Your Gift Supports Our Long-Term Vision

Our ultimate goal long-term vision is to establish diverse, connected, large, and well-managed networks of coral reefs with sustainable fish populations and improved water quality. This means healthier and more resilient oceans for everyone, today and for generations to come.

You can be a part of this transformative mission by donating today. Your unwavering support drives our work, and we invite you to be a vital force in protecting coral reefs in 2024 and beyond. Stay updated with our progress by  signing up for our e-newsletter. Together, we can make a lasting impact on these critical ecosystems.

The post Where Your Donation Will Go in 2024 appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

Unfortunately, coral reefs are also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and more frequent and intense storms. This has led to a decline in the health and resilience of many coral reefs, which in turn has negatively impacted the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them for food, income, and cultural identity.

To address these challenges, a team of researchers from University of Leeds (UK), Coral Reef Alliance (USA), Rare (Philippines & Indonesia), Pattimura University (Indonesia), and many other partners are launching a project in the Philippines and Indonesia.

These two nations are part of “The Coral Triangle” – a region in the western Pacific Ocean that is known for its incredible marine biodiversity and rich coral reef ecosystems. It is often referred to as the “Amazon of the Seas” due to its vast array of marine life and is considered one of the most important and diverse marine regions on Earth.

Our Project

The new project is called Climate REEFS: Integrating Risks, Evolution, and socio-Economics for Fisheries Sustainability.

Led by Dr. Maria Beger of University of Leeds, Rocky Sanchez-Tirona of Rare, Dr. Gino Limmon of Pattimura University, and Dr. Helen Fox of CORAL, the project will focus on climate change adaptation for both coral reefs and the coastal communities that depend on them. In particular, Climate REEFS aims to both develop techniques to identify adaptive reefs using remote sensing technologies and characterize how gender and social status shape socio-economic vulnerabilities and the ability to adapt to reef degradation.

Its ultimate goal is to strengthen community capacity for sustainable fisheries and to improve management of coral reef marine protected areas (MPAs).

Climate REEFS will involve a range of activities, including social science research to identify climate vulnerability and gender- and socially inclusive adaptation pathways. It also involves geospatial research to detect adaptive reefs from satellite-derived data, as well as ecological and genomic research to pilot an analysis that tests the interplay of adaptiveness from genes to people.

All activities will be conducted at a small scale, with the goal of training the team in key research techniques and identifying policy opportunities that will enable future expansion.

Convening in the Philippines 

Climate REEFS officially kicked off in the city of Cebu, the Philippines, where partners met from July 3 – 5 to discuss major work packages, finalize project timelines, and flesh out plans for the start of gathering data in the field, among other agenda items.

The project team is currently working to select field sites for ecological coral reef surveys off the island of Leyte in the Philippines and is also working with nearby coastal communities. It’s expected that similar efforts will begin off the island of Ambon, Indonesia in October.  

Expanding our Presence in the Coral Triangle

You can help us expand our work in the Coral Triangle by following the Climate REEFS project and sharing about it with friends, family, and followers. The more people who know about this work, the better. We’re confident this sharing of knowledge will influence how other communities manage their coral reef resources and influence donors to fund coral conservation and science.

The post Coral Reefs in a Changing Climate: Expanding to the Coral Triangle appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

At CORAL, we recognize the critical importance of preserving and conserving Micos Lagoon, not just for the benefit of the region’s wildlife but also for the prosperity of the people who rely on it. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that together, with our local partners, we were able to establish the area as the first of its kind, a marine/coastal territorial use right system. This groundbreaking step means that we can regulate and monitor artisanal fishing activities in the region more effectively, ensuring that they are sustainable and do not harm the fragile ecosystem of the lagoon.

We’re proud to say that our efforts have already yielded results. Through our work collaborating with our local partners, we have been able to increase the fish biomass within the lagoon by a staggering 600%, providing a boom for local fishermen and ensuring a sustainable source of income for generations to come. At CORAL, we remain committed to our mission of preserving and protecting the world’s coral reefs and the communities that depend on them, and we look forward to continuing our work at Micos Lagoon and beyond.

Communities with a Voice

We are proud to share that our recent efforts to promote sustainable artisanal fisheries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) were highlighted in a featured publication, “Comunidades con voz: El futuro de la pesca artesanal en Latinoamérica y el Caribe” (Communities with a voice: The future of artisanal fishing in LAC).

Artisanal and subsistence fishing in LAC is critical to the region, but historically, sustainable management has been a challenge. To address this issue, there has been a global trend towards managing the fishing sector through adaptive partnerships. These experiences highlight the importance of collective decision-making and community-led efforts for the conservation and sustainable management of fish resources.

Our work seeks to inspire and promote co-management systems that prioritize the rights of fishers and the sustainability of fish resources in LAC. By sharing positive experiences and adaptive learning processes, we hope to empower fishing communities to take an active role in the governance of their countries and the preservation of their valuable resources.

What’s Next for Micos Lagoon?

We are planning to continue monitoring and patrolling the lagoon to update the ministerial decree using science-based adaptive management. According to CORAL’s Principal Program Coordinator for the North Coast, Julio San Martin Chicas, ” I am very excited to be part of this project together with the PROLANSATE Foundation, the Forest Conservation Institute (ICF), DIGEPESCA, AMATELA and the Inter-Institutional Committee for the Environment and Protected Areas of the Municipality of Tela (CIAT). We believe that the effective management of natural resources requires the participation and empowerment of local communities and organizations. This collaborative and participatory work allows us to see every day the positive impacts on the reefs. We believe that sustainable fishing transcends generations!“

Stay tuned for future updates on work in Micos Lagoon!

The post Empowering Artisanal Fishers in Micos Lagoon, Honduras appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

Thanks to our local partners, dedicated patrol rangers, and your generous support, we are expanding access to this technology and using it to address illegal fishing in the Western Caribbean and protect the region’s coral reefs. 

How Does SMART Address Illegal Fishing? 

SMART improves the management of marine protected areas by allowing patrol rangers to track activities and record observations in one simple data system. With just the click of a button, we can now view valuable data that helps on-the-ground teams be proactive, strategic, and efficient when guarding marine protected areas. 

By providing training and access to the tool, our local partners like the Roatan Marine Park (RMP) and the Bay Islands Conservation Association have improved their patrolling programs and can better protect waters that suffer from illegal fishing. 

“We can get precise information and immediately download the reports that we need,” says Francis Leán, the executive director for the RMP. According to Leán, her team no longer relies on estimations and can now accurately analyze the number of illegal fishing incidents and species confiscated, in addition to the mileage covered and amount of fuel used by patrol rangers. 

“By using this technology, we understand all the components involved in running a successful patrolling program,” says Pamela Ortega, CORAL’s program manager. “It helps make informed decisions and it can advise other communities or groups in the industry.” 

Why Do Healthy Fish Populations Matter for Coral Reefs?

An effective patrol program is important because it protects healthy fish populations, which greatly contribute to coral reef health. Herbivorous fish, like parrotfish or surgeonfish, graze on the seaweed that grows near reefs. When you remove too many of these fish from the environment, algae can take over reef-building corals and the ecosystem can quickly collapse. Overfishing impacts coral reefs and the species that rely on them, in addition to many coastal communities who depend on reef fish as a source of income and food. That’s why we are so committed to our Sustainable Fisheries strategy which includes utilizing technology, implementing robust patrolling programs, and supporting local partners whose work directly impacts coral reef health.

In the upcoming year, we hope to expand the use of SMART and offer more technical expertise to patrolling programs in the Western Caribbean. Thanks to generous donations, we are able to help local communities and our partners reach these goals and protect the coral reefs we know and love. To learn more about our work in the region, check out our programs in the Western Caribbean.

The post How Technology Can Tackle Illegal Fishing in the Western Caribbean appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

We started collaborating with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB)  to expand our coral reef conservation work to Belize City and its surrounding areas. This partnership offers an opportunity to take steps toward reducing water pollution and expanding sustainable tourism programs that protect Belize’s coral reefs. 

Improving Water and Sanitation 

One of our long-term projects in Belize is setting the foundation for the construction of a wastewater treatment system in Caye Caulker, a small island off the coast of Belize City. This could help ensure coral reefs have the clean water they need, similar to what we achieved in West End, Honduras. By partnering with the local community in West End, we operationalized a wastewater treatment system which decreased the amount of bacteria in nearshore waters by more than 99 percent between 2013 and 2020. 

The project was so successful that the community in Caye Caulker is now interested in collaborating on a similar initiative. The island shares similarities to where we’ve worked in Honduras, in addition to having valuable coral reefs that offer food and economic opportunities to the local community. 

Right now, poor water quality from an inadequate wastewater treatment system threatens the health of coral reefs, surrounding marine animals, and people in Caye Caulker. By advancing this project, we will begin to implement a better system that benefits both the community and its reefs.

Promoting Sustainable Tourism 

Additionally, we are promoting sustainable tourism opportunities in and around Belize City, which will help protect the area’s natural resources and build a culture that prioritizes the environment. 

“We are reshaping the perception of tourism in Belize,” says Tanya Amaya, CORAL’s regional program director. “A tourism destination is more than just a place to visit, it is also a community. By building a culture of sustainable tourism, we can also help protect and create benefits for the community, like securing clean water or promoting safety.” 

Currently, we are collaborating with relevant stakeholders to establish a Destination Management Organization. This locally managed entity would oversee different aspects of the tourism destination and safeguard the area’s natural and cultural heritage. As part of that initiative, we are also promoting an educational program for tourism operators, which focuses on ways to teach travelers about conservation. 

Monitoring Nearshore Water Quality 

To support both these sanitation and tourism initiatives, we are maintaining the regional water quality monitoring program in Belize that we launched in 2020. Through this program, we have built a network of partners that monitor offshore water quality across 90 sites in the Western Caribbean in order to determine the impact of land-based pollution in high-tourism areas and identify areas that require wastewater and sanitation interventions. 

Land-based pollution, often a result of inefficient wastewater management, uncontrolled coastal development, and unsustainable agricultural activities, can bring excess nutrients that spur algal growth. When algae become too prominent on coral reefs, they can block the sunlight that reaches corals (an important source of nutrients) and impact the overall health of the ecosystem and its animals. 

“Monitoring water quality in Belize gives us the necessary data to advocate for more sustainable projects and solutions in the region,” says Amaya. “Together with local partners and community members, we are fighting for the health of key coral reefs and supporting coastal communities that are dependent on those ecosystems.” 

Thanks to our partnership with the BTB, we are able to push forward these important initiatives in Belize. We look forward to continuing this ongoing partnership and celebrating the success it brings this year. To learn more about our work in the Western Caribbean, check out our programs page. 

The post Partnering with the Belize Tourism Board to Save Coral Reefs appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

Most recently, we collaborated with local partners to finalize a management plan for Tela Bay’s Wildlife Refuge, a marine protected area that often suffers from the impacts of overfishing. The plan was recently approved by the government and will now act as a new tool to protect Tela’s coral reefs. 

How Was Tela Bay’s Management Plan Established? 

Back in 2017, Tela Bay was declared a marine protected area (MPA). But unfortunately, officials didn’t have the guidance or resources to truly preserve the bay effectively. That’s why we helped the Tela Bay Technical Committee, a local group made up of NGOs, governmental organizations, scientists, and community members, develop a management plan for the refuge.

“The management plan is a result of the determination and dedication of our local community in Tela, who care deeply about protecting their resources,” says Julio San Martin Chicas, CORAL’s principal program coordinator for the North Coast of Honduras.

A fisheries plan, which the committee created to indicate sustainable fishing regulations in the region, was used as a base for developing Tela Bay’s full management plan. In addition to providing guidelines for healthy fisheries, the management plan now offers information on how to manage tourism, respect local customs and values, encourage environmental education, and more. 

“Together, our goal is to offer guidance to officials so they are able to enforce regulations, support the livelihoods of communities, and ultimately protect Tela Bay,” says San Martin Chicas. “Establishing a plan will bring us one step closer to saving the region’s coral reefs.”

What’s Next? 

What happens next is crucial. Across the globe, so many MPAs, like the Tela Bay Wildlife Refuge, are only protected on paper—but they aren’t properly managed in real life due to lack of enforcement, education, funding, or resources. Our work at CORAL is to ensure communities have a feasible plan in place and can effectively manage their MPAs and minimize the human impact.  

In 2023, we will work to secure funding in order to implement the actions from Tela Bay’s management plan, which in turn will protect the area’s fisheries and coral reefs. From there, our scientists, partners, and community leaders will observe the bay, measure the effectiveness of new actions, and monitor the health of our beloved coral reef ecosystems.

Join us in supporting our on-the-ground staff and local partners in Tela, Honduras. With your help, we can preserve this ecologically important area and continue to support its coastal communities. 

The post New Management Plan Will Protect Coral Reefs in Tela Bay, Honduras appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

Maui’s coral ecosystems are some of the most vibrant and resilient in Hawai‘i — but they’re also facing immense pressure. Years of sediment runoff from historic agriculture continue to disrupt the delicate relationship between land and sea. That’s why, in Olowalu, we’re taking bold, community-led action.

At the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), we’re working alongside local partners and cultural stewards to tackle the biggest threat to West Maui’s reefs: land-based pollution. Building on successful work in Wahikuli, our latest efforts focus on reforesting degraded riparian zones in the Olowalu ahupua‘a — a powerful ridge-to-reef strategy rooted in both science and traditional ecological knowledge.

Why Olowalu?

Spanning 812 acres, Olowalu Reef is a designated “Hope Spot” by Dr. Sylvia Earle and plays a critical role in seeding nearby reefs around Maui, Lana‘i, Moloka‘i, and Kaho‘olawe. With its unusually high coral cover, resilience to bleaching events, and importance to local fisheries, it’s one of the most essential marine habitats in the Hawaiian Islands.

Just uphill, though, the landscape tells another story. Degraded watersheds and invasive stream habitats toward the coastline during storms — smothering corals, fueling algal overgrowth, and unraveling the balance of reef ecosystems.

Restoring the Ahupua‘a

Over the next three years, we’re taking a full ahupua‘a approach — restoring the land to protect the ocean. That means thinning out the tree canopy to allow sunlight through, reinforcing streambanks with ground covers, installing native vegetation like pili grass to slow water flow, and creating conditions for long-term soil stability.

On the reef side, we’re tracking ecosystem health with temperature sensors and sediment traps — all to better understand how changes upstream affect the marine environment.

But this work is about more than just monitoring equipment and native planting. We’re supporting community partners to strengthen restoration and long-term data collection while cultural practices remain at every level. For example, lo’i kalo (wetland taro) patches along the riparian zone allow sediment to be filtered before water is returned to the stream while allowing cultural practices to thrive.

By pairing indigenous wisdom with science-based strategies, we’re collectively creating a conservation model that’s truly rooted in place — and built to endure.

What We’re Learning

In our first phase, we’ve already made big strides: preparing key sites, clearing debris, starting native seedlings, and nurturing the first wave of native plants. Baseline monitoring stations now track conditions both on land and beneath the waves, giving us a clear starting point to measure progress.

What’s next? Riparian restoration along the entire Olowalu stream, coral surveys, community outreach for marine management planning, and sharing our findings across the state so others can adapt and build on what we’re learning in Olowalu.

Why It Matters

Economically, coral reefs contribute over $800 million to Hawai‘i’s economy each year through tourism, and over $900 million in shoreline protection value. 

Beyond dollars, every streambank we reforest helps keep sediment off the reef. Every native plant we restore filters water for future generations. Every partner we work with is equipped to carry this work forward long after the project ends.

These aren’t just environmental wins — they’re community wins. Cleaner water means safer fishing. Stronger reefs mean food security. A healthy ahupua‘a means honoring cultural traditions and protecting what makes Maui, Maui.

In short, this project extends beyond coral reefs. It fosters connection between people and place, ridge and reef, past and future.

Our monitoring efforts are already generating valuable data that will inform future watershed management across Hawai‘i. And through hands-on restoration, we’re not just restoring land — we’re restoring community capacity, cultural practices, and long-term resilience.

The post Advancing Maui’s Watershed Restoration Project  appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

An aquaponics system relies on a symbiotic relationship between fish and plants. Fish waste fertilizes the growing plants and in return, the plants filter and clean the water for the fish. CORAL started an aquaponics project in Tela Bay, Honduras, and in the last year we’ve created the conditions for both native fish and plants to thrive and investigated new ways this system could support the local community.

How Could an Aquaponics System Benefit Coastal Communities? 

In Tela Bay, Honduras, Los Micos Lagoon suffers from overfishing, which impacts the health of nearby coral reefs and the quality of fish caught by local fishers. Over the last year, we’ve been testing to see if aquaponics could promote food and income security for these coastal communities, which rely so heavily on fishing.

Cultivating aquaponics systems within the community has the potential to reduce fishing pressure in the lagoon and allow marine environments to rest and recuperate. Native fish from the system can also be released into the lagoon, which could help restock dwindling populations. 

This year, Julio San Martin Chicas, CORAL’s principal program coordinator for the North Coast of Honduras, has monitored Tela’s first aquaponics system and is researching what it can successfully produce. By 2023, he will start educating the community and working with local fishers who are interested in creating their own aquaponics system. 

What Can an Aquaponics System Produce? 

An aquaponics system has the potential to grow a wide range of plants—like tomatoes, hot peppers, strawberries, leafy greens, among others. But for the best results, San Martin Chicas focuses on growing produce that can survive naturally in the region, without any chemicals.

“We don’t use chemicals or pesticides as this could harm the fish, tamper with the water quality, and impact human health,” says San Martin Chicas. “It is safer to focus solely on organic fruits and vegetables.” 

Recently, he started growing hot yellow peppers, known locally as “chile cabro.” The pepper can be eaten whole, in salads, or blended into a spicy salsa or hot sauce. San Martin Chicas thinks these new products might sell in local markets—and it is just one of many potential products and ideas that could come from an aquaponics system.

Replicating Our Aquaponics System 

Ultimately, we plan to replicate our aquaponics system to create a larger impact across Tela and in other coastal communities in Honduras. By reducing fishing pressure along Mesoamerican Reef, which is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, we are able to minimize algae growth, increase fish biomass, and keep coral reefs healthy. 

Thanks to generous support, CORAL has seen great success in Tela’s first aquaponics system in 2022 and we are looking forward to collaborating with local fishers in the upcoming year to expand the project and amplify its impact. 

The post From Thriving Fish to Spicy Salsa—Here’s How an Aquaponics System Could Support Coastal Communities  appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.