Yet these tropical gems are severely threatened by climate change, and impacts are being compounded by localized human impacts. As sea level rapidly rises and human populations expand, efforts to reclaim land, develop coastlines, and build barriers to the encroaching sea have increased, often at the expense of the reefs. Other pressures on reef resources, to supply a growing demand for protein, building materials, export revenue, and increasing tourism are all contributing to the loss of these precious ecosystems. Concurrently, since 2015, outbreaks of crown of thorns starfish have devastated numerous reefs in the central atolls, and this past April/May high numbers of corals perished during the El Niño-related bleaching event.
Recognizing the critical importance of shallow marine environments to the Maldives, and vulnerability of these ecosystems, Coral Reef CPR began focusing their conservation efforts here over one year ago. Through partnerships with local resorts, dive operators, and a live-aboard company, we’ve implemented a new, groundbreaking conservation program called HARP – the Holistic Approach to Reef Protection. Our Program involves four components: scientific research and monitoring, reef clean-up and mitigation of manageable threats, coral rehabilitation, and citizen science. In future issues, we will highlight different aspects of HARP, provide regular updates on our conservation activities, and discuss some of the changes we have witnessed to the magnificent Maldivian reefs.
Learn more about our programs, partners and activities, and donate to the cause at coralreefcpr.org and follow us on Facebook: Coral Reef CPR.
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