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Marine conservation science

Data collection and innovation are at the heart of our approach.

Find out how

Reef - Coral Guardian

Data collection & innovation

© Julien Holleville
© Julien Holleville

Thanks to the involvement of the local team, we have set up a scientific zone in our marine protected area.

This area allows us to test and optimize different restoration techniques, to try to understand some of the phenomena observed in the area and to give the local team the opportunity to put into action different ideas, and thus develop their scientific curiosity.

© Julien Holleville
© Julien Holleville

In 2018, many structures of different shapes were tested (concrete hexagons, metal domes, metal bars, bi-material structures). One year later, the results showed a better growth rate on the metal tables, tested at the beginning of the project. Concrete hexagons and metal bars are subject to sedimentation due to their proximity to the substrate, preventing the proper development of coral fragments.

The metal domes have a good growth rate and the corals grow in a multi-directional manner.

In a process of constant improvement, we have also decided to continue its search for substrates, while reducing its ecological impact as much as possible. In 2019, the team decided to work more and more with bio-sourced materials. As a result, new bi-material structures are currently being tested, and should be fully implemented in 2020.

Scientific Council

In 2023, a team of volunteer scientists is convened by our nonprofit to join the Scientific Council of Coral Guardian.

This is an advisory body composed of researchers and experts in several fields related to coral ecosystem research and conservation, which offers its advice to contribute to the development of the scientific and field strategy of the Coral Guardian association. The disciplines include coral conservation, coral ecophysiology, coral biology, scientific diving, social research, among others.

The general objective is to audit and advise the Coral Guardian nonprofit on its strategy and scientific development based on the scientific expertise of the members, and aiming at the development of the nonprofit and the accompanied projects.

Coral Guardian will then be able to adjust its actions thanks to this professional advice. The projects will benefit from more expertise and advice.

Biological data analysis

The areas of analysis

Coral Guardian analyzes scientific data from three specific areas of the marine protected area :

  • Control Zone: an unrestored area
  • Coeur de Corail Zone (CC): a restored area
  • Terrasses de Corail Zone (CT): a restored area
Evolution of the number of families

On the restored areas, namely Coeur de Corail (CC) and Terrasses de Corail (CT), a constant evolution is taking place since 2015 on the family diversity of fish.

Evolution of the number of species

In terms of the evolution of the number of fish species in the Coeur de Corail (CC) and Terrasses de Corail (CT) areas, there has been an average increase of 17.5% since 2018.

Evolution of corals

Every month, we analyze the growth, mortality and bleaching rates of corals present on our marine protected area.

The areas of analysis Evolution of the number of families Evolution of the number of species Evolution of corals
© Coco Tamlyn

Coral Guardian analyzes scientific data from three specific areas of the marine protected area :

  • Control Zone: an unrestored area
  • Coeur de Corail Zone (CC): a restored area
  • Terrasses de Corail Zone (CT): a restored area
Number of families - Coral Guardian

On the restored areas, namely Coeur de Corail (CC) and Terrasses de Corail (CT), a constant evolution is taking place since 2015 on the family diversity of fish.

Number of species - Coral Guardian

In terms of the evolution of the number of fish species in the Coeur de Corail (CC) and Terrasses de Corail (CT) areas, there has been an average increase of 17.5% since 2018.

© Julien Holleville

Every month, we analyze the growth, mortality and bleaching rates of corals present on our marine protected area.

Social data analysis

Social monitoring

In order to better monitor the impacts of the coral restoration project on the island of Hatamin, on the surrounding area, and more precisely on the life of the villagers of Seraya Besar, we set up a social monitoring system from the beginning of the project, in 2015.

Data collection

Each month, we interview 10 fishermen from the village about their fishing habits and their family’s eating habits. This provides a more global view of the impact of our restoration actions on the management of fishing stocks and their evolution.

Data analysis

We regularly analyze the data collected since 2015 in order to allow the local team to concretely show the value of this type of conservation program to the villagers of Seraya Besar and then to extend this model to other neighboring islands.

The feedback of local fishermen

Fishermen themselves have reported a better fishing rate, with larger species, since 2017. They now fish closer to the village, thus taking fewer risks than before to find fish. These concrete results will allow us to raise awareness among a large number of people in the region.

Social monitoring Data collection Data analysis The feedback of local fishermen
© Alban Taravello - W2P

In order to better monitor the impacts of the coral restoration project on the island of Hatamin, on the surrounding area, and more precisely on the life of the villagers of Seraya Besar, we set up a social monitoring system from the beginning of the project, in 2015.

© Alban Taravello - W2P

Each month, we interview 10 fishermen from the village about their fishing habits and their family’s eating habits. This provides a more global view of the impact of our restoration actions on the management of fishing stocks and their evolution.

© Julien Holleville

We regularly analyze the data collected since 2015 in order to allow the local team to concretely show the value of this type of conservation program to the villagers of Seraya Besar and then to extend this model to other neighboring islands.

© Alban Taravello - W2P

Fishermen themselves have reported a better fishing rate, with larger species, since 2017. They now fish closer to the village, thus taking fewer risks than before to find fish. These concrete results will allow us to raise awareness among a large number of people in the region.

Scientific articles

Article - Coral Guardian
Article - Coral Guardian

With a desire to make marine science accessible to the greatest number of people, Coral Guardian has developed a partnership with several authors, including the environmental student association Bio Campus, from the Sup’Biotech school, in order to simplify scientific articles on coral reefs.

Each month, authors deal with a topical or fundamental subject, based on scientific literature and that concerns coral ecosystems. These articles are then published on different platforms, and allow the general public, internationally, to be made aware of the importance of these threatened ecosystems, which are essential for the survival of our oceans.

Scientific partners

Logo_MercatorOcean Bio Campus logo copernicus logo centre scientifique de monaco logo cnrs logo Fondation Grenoble INP reefmaster logo himb_logo Logo ICRI université côte d'azur logo

Contact us

We are always looking for new scientific collaborations (organizations, universities, companies or other actors). Contact us if you have a project in mind!
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