Coral reefs are one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems on Earth, providing habitat for 25% of all known marine species. They are often called the rainforests of the sea due to their high biodiversity. Coral reefs provide economic benefits through food, fisheries, and tourism, protect coastal homes from storms, and could be the key to developing new medicines. They produce half of the planet’s oxygen and absorb a third of the carbon dioxide, making them a pillar of our marine and greater ecosystem. However, coral reefs are threatened by rising sea temperatures, increasing acidity, pollution, and diseases. Scientists estimate that by 2050, more than 90% of corals will die due to environmental changes.

Coral reefs are marine invertebrates that form massive coral skeleton structures. They consist of hard and soft corals, with hard corals building reefs due to their durable exoskeleton. Soft corals consist of a small amount of rigid calcium mixed with proteins, making them less stiff. The coral exoskeleton comprises magnesium hydroxide and calcium carbonate minerals from seawater. New coral polyps live on the calcium carbonate exoskeletons of their ancestors, adding their exoskeleton to the existing coral structure.

To solve some of the problems that coral reefs face, solutions such as coral farming, pumping cooler water from the depths up to the shallower reefs, and converting decommissioned oil and gas platforms into reefs have been proposed. Innovative solutions, such as Biorock Technology and mineral accretion technology, have been used to restore bleached coral reefs in Thailand. Additionally, designing advanced technology blue-green roofs, decreasing stormwater runoff, and using bioswales can limit pollutants entering our waterways and lessen the burden on water treatment plants.

Coral recruitment is the process by which drifting planulae attach and establish themselves as members of the reef community. Stressful conditions such as bleaching or exposure to harmful chemicals can lower a reef’s reproductive output and recruitment. Micro-fragmentation is a coral farming technique to effectively propagate and outplant coral, resulting in rapid healing and growth. Coral growth can be further enhanced by blending it.

We are proud to be an official corporate partner of Biorock, a conservation organization dedicated to coral reef restoration. With every purchase made in our shop, 10% of the proceeds will go towards funding Biorock’s critical projects. While building the reefs is an achievable task, ensuring their long-term survival is the real challenge. We are grateful for your support in helping us tackle this challenge.

They have successfully built 600 electrified rebar reefs and have restored bleached areas in Thailand to healthy sites. Moreover, Biorock is an advocate of the Rigs-to-Reefs initiative, which converts decommissioned oil and gas platforms into artificial reefs. This is particularly significant, given the large number of offshore rigs that are expected to reach the end of their production cycle within the next decade. Artificial reefs have been used globally to increase fishing prospects and fisheries production.

The issue of reef restoration is not just about rebuilding; it’s also about addressing broader environmental concerns. For example, millions of dollars are spent on decommissioning offshore oil rigs once they’ve exhausted their resources—an effort that highlights the high costs associated with maintaining ocean health, yet also demonstrates the potential to repurpose these rigs as artificial reefs to support marine life.

One of the most pressing challenges we face in ocean conservation is funding and long-term engagement. While building biorock structures (artificial reefs) is relatively straightforward, the hardest part is ensuring that these efforts are sustained. In Thailand, the Biorock project has spent over two decades building and maintaining reef structures, but continued political and financial support remains difficult to secure.

The situation in places like the Grand Bahamas, where coral coverage is just 0.01%, is heartbreaking. The issue is compounded by a lack of investment from governments, cruise lines, and hotels, who often fail to recognize the long-term benefits of healthy reefs. While some large corporations donate briefly for press releases, true, sustained engagement remains elusive.

Despite these challenges, there is hope. Thailand's Biorock initiative was able to reverse coral bleaching in certain areas, demonstrating that, with the right approach, even the most dire situations can be turned around. Our goal is to continue supporting these efforts by bringing awareness to the crisis, documenting bleaching events, and contributing to movements like the "1 Million Corals" campaign.