The Blue Center
How does it work?
Anyone involved in the protection of coral ecosystems can apply to become part of the Blue Center program and thereby attain advice and support from Coral Guardian. In order to submit an application, you must:
- have a set-up recognized by the local government
- respond to an environmental issue concerning coral reefs
- involve local people in the course of the project
- have a motivated and committed project manager
If you are interested, email us or download the application form here!
Once the projects are selected, our NGO offers two types of support:
- regular support at a technical, social, administrative, and financial level. This type of support gives rise to core projects.
- occasional support at a technical, social, and administrative level. This type of support gives rise to consultancy projects.
A training manual explains theoretical notions of marine biology and the steps to follow for the development of a local coral ecosystem conservation project.
Practical training will take place in various regional training centers. It will be led by a local expert around an already developed coral ecosystem restoration project putting theory into practice and ensuring a certain amount of field experience. At the end of the course there will be a Coral Guardian accreditation award.
Our core projects
Indonesia
Spain
Where does it take place?
We are running a marine conservation programme in Pulau Hatamin in collaboration with the local NGO WES on a 1.2 ha marine protected area located northwest of Flores. This area was officially declared “Area of Rehabilitation” in September 2019 by the Indonesian government.
Local issues
Overfishing and dynamite fishing have affected the balance of local coral ecosystem and deregulated the entire food chain.
Looking ahead in terms of project evolution
Where does it take place?
We are collaborating with the NGO Coral Soul on a project in the Mediterranean sea, in the region of Punta de la Mona in Spain.
Why is it important to act?
The project responds to the problem of the degradation of the marine environment in Punta de la Mona, linked to an increase in pollution in the Mediterranean sea. The area has a very rich biodiversity: since the 1980s, the Punta de la Mona area has been declared a natural park. However, despite these protective measures, the area is threatened by human activities and the coral ecosystem are damaged. Our mission will involve a seabed clean-up, awareness-raising programs for locals and tourists, as well as actions to restore the coral ecosystems.
Looking ahead in terms of project evolution
By becoming the first participatory marine conservation project involving local communities in the Mediterranean sea, this project could become a training centre for future coral conservation projects in the Mediterranean region.
Our consultancy projects
Martinique
Period of collaboration
February 2021 – February 2022
Where?
Matinik Coral is a project driven by the commitment of people from Martinique working for the protection of the environment through a collaboration between the NGOs: Guardians of the Earth and Roots of the Sea.
Why is it important to act?
This project aims to restore degraded coral reefs in Martinique. The areas chosen, for the moment in the south of the island, present ecosystems that have been degraded in recent years, notably as a result of pressures linked to human activities and global climate changes. A key aspect of this project will be to raise awareness among the local population on the importance of protecting these reefs, which will bring ecological and economic benefits.
What was Coral Guardian’s role?
Our NGO advised these two NGOs over the course of a year in the formulation of the restoration project and the creation of a scientific file that was presented to the local authorities.