Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, in collaboration with marine consultancy Reefscapers, has planted its 9,000th coral frame, marking over two decades of marine conservation initiatives. This milestone is part of one of the world’s most successful coral restoration projects, initiated after the 1997-1998 El Niño bleaching event. The partnership has led to the development of extensive artificial reefs, covering approximately 2,351 square metres.

The innovative coral frame technique, developed by coastal oceanographer Thomas Le Berre, involves attaching small coral fragments to metal frames placed on the seabed to promote reef regeneration. This method has been adopted globally by conservationists. The success of these efforts at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa led to the establishment of Marine Discovery Centres at both locations, staffed by 11 full-time marine biologists.

Their projects include coral spawning research, sea turtle rehabilitation and breeding ornamental reef fish to reduce pressure on natural reefs. Notably, Landaa Giraavaru is the birthplace of The Manta Trust, now a global charity dedicated to manta ray conservation.

Guests at Four Seasons’ Maldivian properties, including the Private Island at Voavah, can participate in reef restoration by transplanting their own coral frames and monitoring their growth online. In 2020, the development of an AI-equipped catamaran enhanced monitoring efforts, leading to the publication of the world’s largest coral restoration study in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

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