I have visited over a dozen coral restorations programs in 2018, documenting each program's management goals, and propagation and out-planting methods, and learning more about what makes each unique. My qualitative research, including follow-up interviews, shows that each organization uses methods specific to their goals, financial and logistical parameters, and the local marine environment. In my presentation, I explore 3-4 case studies of programs working to restore coral reef ecosystems. Each case study discusses 1) programmatic goals, (2) current propagation and out-planting methods, and (3) logistical and ecological considerations. This information will be useful to coral restoration practitioners when designing and managing effective coral restoration programs. Join me on a visual journey around the world.

Coral reefs are complex and productive ecosystems that encompass the highest biodiversity of any marine ecosystem. Unfortunately, 2010-2016 bleaching events seriously affected coral reefs health of the Republic of Maldives, including the coral reefs surrounding Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll. This study was aimed to evaluate suitability of Maldivian lagoons for the restoration of Maldivian reef-building corals using the coral gardening concept. Herein, 4 rope nurseries of 20m square each were installed in a sandy lagoon at 13 meters depth where large stands of different scleractinian species were found. A total of 755 corals fragments were installed, belonging to Acropora muricata (66%), Acropora sp. (19%), Porites rus (13%), and Pocillopora sp. (2%). Quarterly survival, growth (linear extension/ecological volume) and tissue regeneration monitoring of coral fragments revealed a 95% survival of coral fragments. In particular few coral colonies were found affected by coral bleaching and diseases. Furthermore, after 6 months the average growth for coral fragments ranged from 1.22 to 4.71 cm/month with the most abundant species A. muricata displaying the highest value. The calm conditions of the lagoon seem to have favour colony growth and regeneration for this species which is in contrast to reports in the literature. Thus, we strongly highlight the extreme growth rate showed by Acropora spp. These are the results of the first workshop on coral reef restoration held in Magoodhoo with the objective of transfering theoretical and practical knowledge on large-scale coral gardening for the rehabilitation of degraded reefs. We finally believe that similar initiative becomes essential to the recovery of coral reefs in the Republic of Maldives, heavily affected by coral bleaching and poor coastal development.

Maldivian hermatypic coral reefs have been exposed to disturbances for more than two centuries (Brown and Dunne 1988). Coral is not only the basis of which the Maldives is formed but, historically the founding blocks for houses, businesses, and mosques (Sluka and Miller 1998). Subsequent to the first coral bleaching event in the Maldives in 1998 sparked the apprehensiveness for the future of the reefs (Goreau et al. 2001). Since then Maldives has been exposed to another major coral bleaching event (2016). As a result many of the tourist resorts have responded with numerous techniques to rejuvenate their house reefs. Although there are extensive coral restoration projects in the Maldives, there is limited literature establishing the success of such projects. This paper is the first to elucidate the success of three methods of coral restoration in the Maldives and advises room for future improvements. Methods Coral transplantation: Methods adapted from Edwards and Gomez (2007) transplantation techniques. Coral modular frames: Methods adapted from Edwards (2010). Coral gardening: Adapted from Frias-Torres S, Montoya-Maya PH, Shah N.J (Eds.) (2015). Ecological measures of coral health were collected. Preliminary data indicates that the three methods have their strengths and weaknesses. So far the coral gardening technique proves to be the most successfully with respect to survival rates. Due to the relatively long nursery phase no immediate rejuvenation results are initially seen on the reef, extending the amount of time before resort guests experience visual impacts from the project. Nevertheless the nursery phase provides larger and more resilient coral colonies with respect to total size and coral health respectively. Although direct relocation methods give an immediate visual impact to the reef they indicated significantly lower and marginally lower growth and survival rates compared to the coral gardening project for the transplantation and modular frame methods, respectively. Evaluating such popular reef restoration methods is extremely important for both the development of the projects, and also for increased understanding for best practises of these restoration tools for reef managers.

St Martin’s Island is the only coral habitat in Bangladesh marine water. There are 66 known coral species under 22 genera and 15 sclerectinian coral families. During the last decade tourism spread all over the north zone of the island and in winter month’s mass tourism hampers the coral growth through plastic pollution and sedimentation in the water. Although several GOB projects completed in the last 20 years the degradation of habitat prevails due to lack of essential activities needed for the coral restoration. The research organization Marinelife Alliance(MLA) took initiative for field intervention in addition to awareness during 2015 through the development of Locally Managed Marine Area(LMMA). The major western nearshore area is less used by local community. and since the habitat is less accessible for boat anchoring and fishing it is easily agreed by people to keep as no take zone. MLA conducting all possible activities for the long time restoration of the habitat and its coral coverage expansion, viz., coral plantation through coral frame with steel structure, direct plantation on solid bed rock, installation of mooring buoys, removal of unwanted trashes, mining prohibition, and prohibition of other physical damage conducted by tourist on the intertidal coral habitat. The program MLA is conducting with the partnership of Bangladesh Department of Environment.

In response to the ongoing damage to coral reefs and the consequences on sand erosion, hotel industries in Mauritius have started to engage on beach and lagoonal rehabilitation works as well as coral farming as being a major part of conservation strategies. The project consisted of two parts. First, corals and marine organisms were removed along three (10m by 10m) area labelled Reef 1, Reef 2 and Reef 3 to accommodate Permeable Submerged Breakwaters (PSBs) made of basaltic rocks inside the lagoon. The marine organisms were displaced outside the working zones while corals were fragmented as well as whole corals colony removed. Hard corals were removed by fragmentation and loosening the whole colonies from their natural substratum. Line intercept transect (LIT) method was used to assess the percentage coral cover prior to removal process. They were placed on table nurseries and were carefully monitored for 1 month before transplantation. The second part involved the transplantation of corals on artificial structures placed next to the PSBs. One of the major aspects of this project has been to demonstrate the sustainable approach towards placement of artificial structures to prevent sand erosion while incorporating the ecological criteria. The present study investigated the culture of corals and success of coral farming before and after a beach and lagoonal rehabilitation work along with biodiversity regenerations over time after placement of these PSBs. Overall, number/unit of organisms removed were as follows: 1146 at Reef 1, 101 at Reef 2 and 970 at Reef 3 which comprised of molluscs, crustaceans and hard & soft corals. The overall percentage survivorship so far has been 95% with very few bleaching. Salinity, pH, DO, Temperature, Total Suspended Solids, nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) and Feacal Coliforms were monitored. In most of the experimental treatments the physico-chemical parameters were higher during construction activities and returned to normal range after construction as per the coastal water quality guidelines of Mauritius. These results are indicative that engineering solutions towards beach and lagoonal rehabilitation along with active restoration measures can be made possible.

Gulf of Mannar is one of the four major coral reef areas in India. Out of an area of 110 km2, 32 km2 has been degraded due mainly to mining and destructive fishing practices. Low-tech and low-cost transplantation techniques using artificial substrates like concrete frames and fish houses were standardized during 2002-2005, and scaling up started in 2008. During 2002-2018, restoration was successfully done in 18 acres covering 7 islands. Survival rates of the transplants differed from Island to Island ranging between 67.28 and 81.6%. Fast growing genus Acropora showed higher growth at 15.96 cm/year, while in massive coral genera like Porites and Favia, higher growth was at 2 cm/year. Recently, climate change caused coral bleaching, and mortality is a major concern. The bleaching events in 2010 and 2016 killed 9.7% and 16.2% corals respectively. However in Gulf of Mannar there are species which are resistant to bleaching. Coral transplants in Koswari Island in southern Gulf of Mannar particularly showed the highest resistance to bleaching, for mortality was only 10.02%, while the bleaching intensity in Shingle Island in northern side was severe among the transplants and mortality was 78.78%. Restoration involving resistant and resilient coral species helps to save corals from the impacts of climate change. The selection of sites, identification of healthy native transplants, precision in fragmentation and fixing on substrates, and regular monitoring and maintenance are important for the success of coral restoration.

Historically, the transplantation of coral from surrounding reefs has been thought to degrade source areas and jeopardize donor colonies. The Reef Runway Coral Nursery is a novel coral nursery concept designed to aid in coral restoration efforts in response to reef injuries by harboring corals of opportunity and creating a stock-pile of donor material for future out planting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survivorship and physiological responses of dislodged corals placed on the platform and to identify any ecological impacts of implementation. This presentation will focus on the potential ecological impacts of collecting corals from source areas as well as the impacts of the nursery structure using fish assemblages as an indicator. Results indicate that the collection of over 500 dislodged corals from approximately 1000 m2 of source area had no observable impact on associated fish assemblages. A substantial assemblage of fish, including over 20 different species, recruited to the nursery structure over time, with the addition of coral colonies. The collection of dislodged corals from rubble areas did not noticeably degrade the source area, and the accumulation of the colonies on the nursery structure created ample fish habitat, providing a potential net positive impact around the nursery. The Reef Runway Coral Nursery could prove to be a multi-functional restoration tool that serves primarily to harbor recovering corals for future out-planting, and secondarily as an artificial reef habitat, possibly a juvenile fish nursery, thus providing an overall positive restorative impact.

The fringing reefs of the Andaman Islands have, in the recent past, been subject to overfishing, siltation, and El-Nino related mass bleaching events. Reefs here have been in decline with reports showing decreasing live coral cover from 80% in 1998 to 41.9% in 2011. The project started in November 2016, as a combination of structural and biological restoration, 2 structures made of iron rebar were sunk into the water adjacent to a reef with low structural diversity. Naturally broken coral fragments (due to boat, anchor, storm or fish damage) were then collected from the adjoining reef area and transplanted onto these structures, with care taken to maintain the depth range from which they were collected. During the first year of the project we tested different materials to determine what method worked best for coral attachment. Polyurethane cableties were more effective than nylon or cotton based threads. Additionally, species of corals were not differentiated from, with fragments of all species found being collected. The structures were then left underwater for the monsoon period – July to October, when the sea is the most rough – to see how well they withstood turbulence. In the post monsoon monitoring we found that corals on one structure had survived better than on the other due to structure design differences. We concluded that for a coral fragment to be stable enough to grow around the metal structure, a grid is required, without which the fragment slides down the iron rods. 2 more structures were designed and sunk at the site correcting for this error, this time increasing the range area of coral fragment collection, thus diversifying the genetic pool on the structures. In 2018, we collaborated with Coral Aid to connect all 4 structures to mineral accretion devices. The difference in these devices to traditional ones connected to a local power grid is the source of electricity comes from 2 6-volt solar panels floating on the surface above the structures. The addition of this device has visually shown an increased growth rate in coral fragments. However, we are yet to quantify its value.

The degradation of coral reefs worldwide has accelerated efforts to find cost effective and adequate methodologies for restoring reefs. Coral reefs are declining from rising sea temperatures, massive storm events and vessel groundings. There are several styles of coral nurseries, but there are no standards for coral nursery design or depth. When designing coral nurseries, there are concerns of negative impacts to marine life, such as entanglement in lines and nets. Here, a nursery platform was designed using fiber reinforced plastic. The platform is a 20ft hexagon that sits on twelve legs with circular and square bases and anchored with three 13lb Danforth anchors. The nursery is located off the south shore O`ahu in a sandy area of the seafloor at 55ft depth, where nearby reefs were evaluated for collection of corals of opportunity. Corals of opportunity were identified as unattached corals in rubble reef flats that naturally detach from storm surge or loose substrate. Corals were assessed in the surrounding area, if loose, they were moved onto the platform. A total of 514 coral fragments of varying size and species were collected and placed on the platform, out of these, thirty two corals of multiple species were monitored in a control area of the nursery over seven weeks. Physiological responses varied with several corals showing recolonization and re-skinning, while others showed partial mortality. This nursery prototype utilizes the natural ability of coral to regenerate, demonstrating that coral restoration and mitigation can become more timely, efficient and economical.

Coral reefs around the world are disappearing at an alarming rate, reducing its services to marine biodiversity and human communities. Coral researches, managers and conservationists have been implementing coral restoration methods to help deteriorated reefs go back to functional states or to recover to previous status. Although coral reefs in the Colombian Tropical Eastern Pacific (CTEP) have been bleached by past El Niño and subaerial exposure events, they still are in good health, appear to be sufficiently resilient and currently are not in need of restoration. However, the CTEP region is affected by rising seawater temperatures and acidification and coral restoration will be a necessity. Instead of waiting until restoration measures are needed, since 2015 we have been conducting a series of studies to gather essential information for future coral restoration projects at the Gorgona National Natural Park. We have estimated survival and growth rates of Pocillopora damicornis fragments in nurseries and in situ environments as function of their size, coral/algae cover, and abundance of fish corallivores. Fragment survival and growth increased with size in nurseries but decreased with size after transplantation because larger fragments were negatively affected by corallivores. Fragment morphology seems to play a key role, as fragments with most complex morphology appear to suffer less predation. Other studies on the massive coral Pavona clavus included the use of coral nurseries and CaCO3 enriched substrates. P. clavus survival and growth was affected by the genotype of donor colonies but not by substrate type. Additionally, ground nurseries, instead of floating or semi-submerged structures gave better results, since the latter type of structures were destroyed or severely damaged by floating wood and sea turtles. These results are important for coral reef restoration in the CTEP and can be used by managers and conservationist in case a catastrophic event occurs. We believe that gathering relevant information for reef restoration before it is needed can be key for the future of coral reefs.

In recent years, a series of natural and anthropogenic disturbances have caused damage to the only coral reef barrier in the Gulf of California, located at Cabo Pulmo National Park. Therefore, the administration of the protected area considered the implementation of management actions intended to reverse the degradation of the system, one of them, restoration of the reef using naturally generated coral fragments. The objectives of the presentation are to describe the implementation of this project at Cabo Pulmo, and to determine the effectiveness of the in-situ restoration, analyzing changes in coral growth and survival resulting from the application of two methodologies and two depths. For the project, 200 coral fragments of the genus Pocillopora were recovered and placed at 8 and 14 m deep, using two methodologies: plastic straps and epoxy resin; Subsequently, the colonies were monitored between November 2017 and May 2018 to estimate their growth and mortality. The survival percentage was 84%, although colonies at -14 m presented only 2% mortality, significantly lower than that of the shallow site (21%). In contrast, no difference in fragment mortality between methods was found; thus, the restoration efforts carried out in the park might be more successful if conducted in deeper areas of the reef regardless of the technique used. A secondary analysis of the data was done to generate a model to predict future effectiveness of a restoration effort, based on survival rate and growth rate of the fragments. The model shows that by year 5, coral cover reached its maximum, and afterwards the recovered surface start declining, returning to the initial value after 10 years. Considering that natural recruitment is extremely low, our results call for a detailed plan to introduce new fragments to the reef after year 4 of the initial restoration to support the recovery.

Reef restoration programs require a supply of coral colonies for their implementation. Most of these efforts obtain colonies from the natural environment, limiting production goals. Recently, marine nurseries being established to propagate corals and to keep a stock available for out-planting them in damaged areas. However, facilities on land to produce corals in a more controlled manner is an ideal complement for marine nurseries, because it is possible to take care of the fragments and sexual recruits. The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute of Mexico (INAPESCA) have been developing biotechnology for culturing corals over the last 13 years. Controlled and semi-controlled system tanks have been installed at the facilities, as complement of the marine nursery. The total coral production has reached 8,000 fragments and 35,000 microfragments of 10 species of caribbean corals (Acropora palmata, A. cervicornis, Dendrogyra cilyndricus, Dicochoenia stockesii, Orbicella annularis, O. faveolata, Montastraea cavernosa, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Porites porites and Siderastrea spp.). Out-planting action has been carried out on 2,159m2 of reefs damaged by ship grounding and hurricanes. The experiences and lessons learned in the art of culture and coral propagation are presented. Optimal size of fragmentation, cutting zones and healing time per species. Good practices such as the opportune treatment of ciliate infection and the sanitation of tanks, as well as the use of gastropods as an herbivorous group for the control of algae. These aspects enable to increase coral survival and to maintain production lots on schedule. Finally, the experiences of scaling-up production through microfragments in seven species are presented. Units of coral tissue (2.1 cm2) are handled; these are produced from microfragments of < 1cm2 in a period of 5 to 7 months. Fractions of these units are cut successively to maintain the scaling-up of coral production, avoiding the collection of fragments from the natural environment. At the facilities, genotypes will be artificially selected taking into account specific traits (i.e. higher thermal tolerance) to enhance the success of the restoration program and the preservation of the coral reef environment.

Tropical cyclones cause great damage to coral reefs due to the rupture of coral colonies and the transport of materials from land. Recovery actions that are implemented immediately after this kind of events reduce the probability of death of several damaged colonies. In order to minimize the impact of these meteorological events The Nature Conservancy and the State Government of Quintana Roo are developing a Coastal Zone Management Trust that will purchase the world´s first ever insurance policy for coral reefs. To implement this instrument, an Early Warning Protocol and Immediate Response to the impact of tropical cyclones on the reefs of Puerto Morelos Reef National Park was elaborated, which stipulates the actions to be taken before, during and after a hurricane hit. To apply the actions of this protocol, the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas and the National Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Mexico, with support from The Nature Conservancy, organize a training directed to people from the community (33 persons in total), to carry out rapid assessments after the cyclone impacts and the primary response actions on the reef, such as removing garbage and rubbish, flipping up corals that has been detached and attaching broken fragments. Staff from the National Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the organization Anclamarina trained the brigades in different techniques such as: rapid evaluation of damages to define priority areas of attention, how to handle lifting bags to move heavy objects underwater, the use of pneumatic drills for anchoring rods, and developing abilities to quickly attach coral fragments, mainly of Acropora palmata. Also, the leadership among the participants was fomented to organize activities carried out in the field. Finally, a simulation exercise was conducted where the brigades put into practice the corresponding stages of the protocol, from the hurricane warning to the direct interventions on the reef. The community taking part in these actions allows more resilient reefs.

Millions of dollars have been invested in restoring the Florida reef tract by ‘re-seeding’ reefs with nursery raised corals. However, both wild and nursery raised corals must survive significant environmental changes and extensive threats within the reef environment in order to reproduce and contribute to self-perpetuating population recovery. Mote Marine Laboratory’s strategy for coral restoration focuses on propagating multiple coral species with high genetic diversity that are also resilient to some of the most common and severe threats on reefs today and likely into the future: coral disease, increasing oceanic temperatures, and ocean acidification. Unlike most other restoration initiatives, Mote propagates massive coral species using microfragmentation, a technique proven to increase growth rates of nursery-reared corals up to 50 times faster than large-sized corals. To maintain high genetic diversity, thousands of sexually propagated corals are incorporated into our microfragmentation pipeline each year. Indeed, corals that exist today are likely robust because they have persisted through the last several years or decades. Yet, genotypic differences in resilience still remain within these robust corals. Mote scientist’s conduct precise laboratory exposure experiments within its newly renovated and expanded climate change and ocean acidification testing facility at Mote’s IC2R3 campus and executes coral disease exposure studies at its Sarasota campus, to determine the resilience of each coral genotype to major threats within our reefs. Collaborations with experts in genetics and microbiome characterization assist in the identification of the mechanisms driving resilient traits for each coral species used within Mote’s restoration plan. These mechanistic signatures are then used to screen corals for resilient traits both within the restoration platform and within the wild populations. Finally, Mote Marine Laboratory will utilize the data collected from these exposure experiments to conduct trait-based modeling to assess successful population recovery under different environmental scenarios. The mindful approach that Mote is undertaking will ensure greater success for restoration initiatives by outplanting a coral community that is genetically diverse and resilient to major threats on reefs today and tomorrow.

The juxtaposition of the continental U.S.’s only living bank-barrier reef with the significant South Florida population center of over 6.5 million people presents unique challenges for resource managers. Expanding commercial and private development combined with necessary infrastructure repairs to roads, bridges, and seawalls impacts sensitive nearshore marine habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses, corals, and hardbottom. NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) is charged with protecting and managing all marine resources in the 3840 square mile sanctuary, not just the iconic offshore barrier reef. In 2003, FKNMS staff pioneered an innovative coral “rescue nursery” in response to corals threatened with destruction during military pier repairs. Over 3500 individual coral colonies were removed from the construction zone and placed in a specially constructed underwater nursery. Since that time, corals have been rescued from hundreds of similar projects and moved to FKNMS coral rescue nurseries. Corals in rescue nurseries are moved to vessel grounding restoration sites, provided to research institutions for laboratory studies, and made available to support educational displays at public aquariums. Using rescued corals for these purposes relieves pressure on natural habitats of the sanctuary and supports management-based research. Since inception, more than 10,000 coral colonies have been rescued by FKNMS and partner organizations. When impacts to corals from coastal construction cannot be avoided and options to transplant corals to nearby habitats are not available, coral rescue nurseries provide a low-tech tool for protecting critical resources.

Coral propagation efforts for restoration and species recovery in Puerto Rico have increased over the last few decades from a few scattered pilot projects to sustained nursery operations producing thousands of corals annually for outplanting. We report on an effort to scale-up propagation using in-situ nursery corals and increase the restoration footprint through outplanting; funded in part by compensatory restoration from large ship groundings. This effort will utilize proven nursery systems having high efficiency and robustness focused on the species Acropora palmata, A. cervicornis and Dendrogyra cylindrus. Obtaining coral genetic data will be used to help determine factors that drive success and insure high diversity. The methods have been selected by learning through communication with other nursery operators and setting up test nurseries and outplant locations to evaluate effectiveness before investing resources in scaling-up operations. This presentation will describe the planning process and selection of best practices/methods for scaling-up propagation in PR.

Global deterioration of coral reefs globally due to a variety of variables has put this critical ocean ecosystem at risk. To combat this decline large-scale global action and restoration methods are being implemented. In this study, we attempt to rehabilitate coral reefs surrounding the Dutch Caribbean island, Saba, by successfully cultivating Acropora cervicornis and Acropora palmata fragments in a mid-water floating nursery. By collecting storm-generated coral fragments scavenged from the sea floor or rescued from island development projects, we attempt to mirror the asexual fragmentation process that the Acropora species naturally performs. The coral fragments hang from floating tree and ladder-like structures which can be raised and lowered to adjust for temperature fluctuation while also providing protection from sediment coverage. The position of the structures allows multiple divers ample workspace for cleaning, maintaining, and data collection in the nursery. Over a three-year period, the nursery saw encouraging signs of growth and low mortality rates. We estimate if transplantation continues successfully, implementation of floating coral nurseries in Caribbean waters could have a lasting impact on reef rehabilitation and ocean health.

The non-profit Coral Restoration Foundation Bonaire (CRFB) uses offshore coral nursery and outplanting techniques to enhance the population of critically endangered Acropora corals. Combining science, education, and eco-tourism, this successful model engages local stakeholders and recreational divers in a community-wide effort to restore coral reefs. This effective model for ecotourism contributes greatly to Bonaire’s leadership in international tourism and conservation. With the support of 5 local dive shops, since 2012, CRFB has trained over 700 restoration divers, installed 7 nurseries and outplanted more than 20,000 coral colonies back to the reef, which have grown successfully in 7 different sites. One of these restored sites, Jeff Davis Memorial, is showcased as “Demonstration Site” by the CRC. The 3,000 corals outplanted there have shown high survivorship and have spawned spectacularly the last two years. The site is monitored using traditional in-situ research methodologies as well as cutting-edge photomosaic techniques to create a site baseline and get a better understanding of the development over time. This site serves as just one example of the successful work done by the Foundation in Bonaire and demonstrates that “coral gardening” is a viable strategy for Acropora coral population enhancement. Based on the coral restoration experience gained over the years and recognizing the urgency of the threats facing our reefs, CRFB is transitioning to become Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire, which will embrace a more comprehensive vision and expand to new coral propagation techniques to give Bonaire’s reefs a helping hand on an ecological scale, focusing on not only genetic diversity, but species diversity as well.

October 2017 saw the start of Colombia's largest coral reef rehabilitation project via coral gardening. The project objective is to upscale coral reef restoration actions in the San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina Archipelago to accelerate the natural recovery of intervened reefs, promote adaptation to climate change, anticipate the direct effects of anthropogenic origin, and reach a great social impact. In its first phase, eight nurseries have been built with the capacity to grow at least 16,000 fragments of coral reef species. The initial stock is 13463 fragments of four species of hard corals, three soft corals and two sponges. Twelve months after stocking, the average fragment survival (86% ± 3 SE) and the increase in ecological volume (EV) recorded (>300% of their initial size) are within the reference values for reef restoration projects in the Caribbean. Construction, installation, stocking and monitoring of nurseries and corals was conducted by more than 50 people representing different relevant social actors, aimed at developing the local capacity in coral gardening and the monitoring of coral reefs in the archipelago. We are also piloting the first payment for ecosystem services scheme for marine areas in Colombia which seeks to offer an alternative livelihood to artisanal fishermen committed to enforce local coral reef protection, reduce local coral reef threats, and assist with the project´s coral rehabilitation activities within voluntary conservation agreements (VCA) that are being designed following the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation. In three years, we expect to see that the joint protection of selected sites with the addition of ca. 5,000 nursery-grown coral colonies per hectare, lead to a 10% increase in the live coral cover, fish biomass, aesthetic value and structural complexity and overall health at intervened coral reefs within the Seaflower MPA.