Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and Public Service Media (PSM) on Thursday carried out a large-scale coral restoration activity at the Dhoonier Wreck site near Kudagiri Island as part of the Asia Media Summit 2026.

The activity brought together around 300 international media delegates from 40 countries attending the summit hosted by PSM.

Delegates took part in coral planting activities by attaching coral fragments to underwater frames, which were later placed at the Dhoonier Wreck site as part of ongoing reef restoration efforts.

The Dhoonier Wreck project, launched in 2025 by VMC and HDC, involves the use of two submerged Dornier aircraft to create an artificial reef structure combined with long-term coral restoration work.

The project’s underwater layout is designed around the submerged aircraft, which are among the early aircraft models used for domestic air connectivity in the Maldives.

Thursday’s activity was supported by Government institutions, tourism establishments, dive operators, marine research organisations and emergency services agencies.