“
Living coral is strong, unlike dead coral which are brittle and can easily break off during rough weather. When there is severe coral mortality, the subsequent reef degradation can lead to the height of the reef being reduced by as much as a meter, which is effectively the removal of a breakwater.
Aya Naseem
Co-Founder and Chief Research and Outreach Officer of the Maldives Coral Institute
“
The [fishing] industry is facing major declines in baitfish, which depend on coral reefs for habitat. Coral reefs are also nursery grounds for many pelagic and reef fish species that are commercially significant [...] A number of popular dive sites are now degraded, decreasing their economic and aesthetic value.
Aya Naseem
Co-Founder and Chief Research and Outreach Officer of the Maldives Coral Institute
“
The majority of coral restoration projects in Maldives in the past three decades are centered around resort islands, which are largely disconnected from local communities. In the past few years, however, there have been increasing efforts from [...] island communities to restore their reefs. Adequate funding and technical support are barriers that are commonly faced to implement and scale up such projects.
Aya Naseem
Co-Founder and Chief Research and Outreach Officer of the Maldives Coral Institute