A New Chapter in Coral Reef Restoration: Turquoise Lab Partners with Rathafandhoo Council

Turquoise Lab is proud to announce a milestone partnership with G.Dh. Rathafandhoo Council to implement an ambitious coral reef restoration project in Huvadhu Atoll. This initiative is part of the CORDAP-funded project titled "Empowering community-led coral reef restoration and prioritization in the Maldives", led by Professor Peter Harrison of Southern Cross University—a pioneer in coral larval restoration techniques that have transformed degraded reefs in the Philippines and Great Barrier Reef.

Signed Commitment to a Shared Mission

On 25th November 2024, Turquoise Lab and the Secretariat of G.Dh. Rathafandhoo Council formally entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to solidify this collaboration.

The MOU was signed by:

• Mr. Shamaan Shakir, Managing Director of Turquoise Lab Pvt Ltd

• Mr. Mohamed Abdulla, President of Rathafandhoo Council

The agreement outlines the framework for cooperation over a three-year period (Nov 2024 – Nov 2027), emphasizing joint efforts to restore and protect coral ecosystems through advanced techniques and community engagement.

What This Project Involves

Turquoise Lab will establish its base of operations in Rathafandhoo, where Professor Harrison’s proven techniques will be used to:

• Capture coral spawn using customized floating pontoons

• Rear millions of coral larvae in controlled environments

• Train local practitioners and community-based restoration teams

• Monitor reef health and recovery using scientific protocols

• Strengthen conservation networks both locally and internationally

The Council has agreed to provide space, permit project activities in their jurisdiction, and support community awareness and education efforts. Meanwhile, Turquoise Lab assumes full responsibility for obtaining permits, deploying and maintaining the pontoon system, and bearing all costs of implementation.

Backed by Global and Local Partners

This project brings together a powerful international consortium, including: Southern Cross University, Australian Institute of Marine Science, The University of Queensland, QUT, CSIRO, Maldives Marine Research Institute, and the Maldives Coral Institute.

Thanks to this global support and local commitment, the project has the potential to bring lasting change to coral reef conservation in the Maldives.

Why This Matters

Coral reefs are the lifeblood of Maldivian marine life, livelihoods, and identity. But these vital ecosystems are under pressure from rising sea temperatures and human activity.

This restoration project is more than a scientific effort—it's a community-driven conservation movement, aiming to empower island communities to become stewards of their own marine environment.