Coral Vita: Restoring Our World’s Dying Reefs

Project begin: 31/05/2019

Sam Teicher and Gator Halpern have developed a hi-tech farming solution to grow more resistant, diverse coral and restore reefs around the Bahamas and beyond.

Leading organisation: Coral Vita

The country where the team is based: Bahamas

Theme: Biodiversity, Education for Sustainable Development, Local and Indigenous Knowledge, Ocean

Sub-themes: Cities, Climate change, Coastal resource management, Cultural diversity, Environment, Food and food security, Knowledge sharing, Natural disasters risk reduction, Natural resource management, Ocean education, Participatory/citizen science, Poverty and inequality reduction, Protecting marine ecosystems, Resources management

Tag: #Youth

Selection: 2020/2021

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Coral restoration team

More than 50% of the world’s reefs are already dead and 90% are likely to disappear by 2050 with profound impacts on our marine ecosystems. Gator Halpern had always been passionate about the ocean, but it wasn’t until he met Sam Teicher at Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies that his idea for coral restoration came to life.

Farming more resistant corals

In May 2019, they launched Coral Vita, the world’s first land-based commercial coral farm. Located in Freeport, Grand Bahamas, this farm cultivates 24 different types of indigenous coral with innovative techniques that speed up growth by up 50% (micro fragmenting) and make the coral more resistant (assisted evolution) to the rising temperatures and acidity.

As well as creating local jobs, this project also helps raise awareness. Visitors to the farm can learn more about the importance of protecting our oceans, as well as adopt their own piece of coral and plant coral with the Coral Vita team.

Boosting the blue economy

Looking to future, Coral Vita is keen to duplicate this farming model to reach all of the ocean’s coral reefs. To achieve this, the young company is looking for additional financing and support.

Inspired by this amazing coral restoration project? Keen to contribute to the blue economy?

www.coralvita.co