Reviving the Reef: MARRS x Corales de Paz in Action

Coral reefs are among the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on the planet. Rising ocean temperatures and increased acidity stress corals, causing them to expel the tiny, symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae that live within their tissues. These algae provide corals with most of their energy through photosynthesis and give them their vibrant colors. Without them, the coral turns stark white and weakens, losing its primary source of nutrition. Prolonged bleaching can lead to widespread coral death, disrupting the entire reef ecosystem and the countless species that rely on it for shelter and food. Ocean acidification, driven by higher carbon levels, further compounds the problem by reducing the availability of calcium carbonate, the material corals need to build their skeletons, making recovery even more difficult.

Enter the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS), an innovative approach that is revolutionizing reef restoration globally. At the heart of MARRS is the Reef Star, a hexagonal structure designed to stabilize loose rubble and provide a robust platform for coral growth. Over time, coral fully engulfs the Reef Stars, creating complex habitats that attract fish, invertebrates, and additional native corals, effectively jump-starting the reef’s natural recovery process. By combining scientific monitoring, careful site selection, and collaboration with local communities, MARRS ensures restoration projects are both effective and sustainable. Its approach is now being adopted by organizations around the world, demonstrating that reef restoration can be both scalable and impactful.

One of the organizations harnessing the MARRS approach is Colombia’s Corales de Paz. Dedicated to protecting and regenerating coral reefs, Corales de Paz has monitored nearly 25,000 square meters of reef, rehabilitated over 11,000 square meters, and certified more than 160 EcoDivers- community members trained to actively monitor and protect reefs. They are the only organization in Colombia authorized by the Reef Check Foundation to train nonscientific divers, empowering citizen scientists to take an active role in reef conservation.

Corales de Paz’s impact extends beyond Colombia. In a recent collaboration with The Nature Conservancy in Grenville Bay, Grenada, the team designed and implemented a comprehensive coral gardening program to support the recovery of the island’s reef barrier. Grenville Bay experiences coral bleaching primarily because rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification stress corals, while hurricanes, sediminetation, and human impacts further reduce resilience. The combination of global climate change and local pressures creates a high-risk environment for reef degradation in this Caribbean region. The project followed a two-phase approach: establishing coral nurseries and transplanting the corals grown in them back onto degraded reefs. This initiative not only strengthens Grenada’s natural defenses against climate events but also trains local teams in sustainable reef restoration practices, creating a lasting environmental and social legacy.

Through the MARRS system and the dedication of organizations like Corales de Paz, coral reefs are not just surviving, they are thriving again. By combining cutting-edge restoration techniques, scientific research, and community engagement, they are giving life back to the ocean and inspiring a new generation committed to protecting these extraordinary ecosystems.

Our Most Recent Consulting: Coral Reef Restoration in Grenville Bay Area (GBA)