The Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, has expressed confidence that the newly launched ‘ReefSeed’ coral restoration programme will help combat reef degradation in the Maldives.

Speaking at the project’s launch, Minister Shiyam described ReefSeed as “a crucial opportunity to accelerate restoration efforts and breathe life back into our fragile coral reef ecosystems.”

He also highlighted the initiative as a critical step in addressing the environmental challenges posed by climate change.

The three-year programme, backed by a USD 1.5 million G20 grant, is led by the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI) in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and supported by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

At the heart of the project is a portable, containerised coral aquaculture system deployed at Maniyafushi in Kaafu Atoll. This advanced system can propagate up to 100,000 young corals at a time, significantly streamlining the restoration process while reducing labour intensity. MMRI plans to synchronise propagation efforts with the Maldives’ coral spawning season, which runs from February to May. Beyond immediate restoration, MMRI aims to conduct further research to assess the technology’s long-term potential for large-scale reef recovery.

To strengthen local expertise, five Maldivian youth have been trained in coral propagation techniques through AIMS. Minister Shiyam underscored the importance of engaging younger generations in conservation efforts and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to expanding protections for reef areas across the Maldives.