With the support of the motan foundation, rrreefs has launched a pioneering coral reef restoration project in Akumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and its population of sea turtles that can be observed in the shallow coastal areas, Akumal is one of the region’s most treasured marine ecosystems.
However, the surrounding coral reefs have been facing significant degradation, threatening not only marine biodiversity but also the coastline, local fish populations, and the habitats that sea turtles depend on. To address this challenge, the Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA), rrreefs’ partner in coral restoration, has been working for years to regenerate two of the most critically threatened coral species in the Caribbean: Acropora cervicornis (staghorn coral) and Acropora palmata (elkhorn coral).
While coral propagation efforts have shown promising results, the natural three-dimensional reef framework continues to deteriorate, reducing the availability of suitable surfaces for new coral growth. To tackle this issue, rrreefs and CEA are collaborating to create new reef structures that will provide a stable foundation for coral transplantation, marking the first rrreefs’ projekt in Mexico.
Twelve reef towers will be installed this year, made from an innovative material: a clay mixture incorporating Sargassum biochar, which as a result binds a small amount of CO2. In addition, the project will test a specialized coating designed to enhance coral growth and support the natural settlement of coral larvae, helping to accelerate reef generation.
The first 100 reef modules have already been successfully manufactured. The project team aims to complete installation during the last quarter of 2026 and is currently awaiting final approval from the local authorities before deployment can begin.
Through initiatives such as this, rrreefs is advancing innovative, science-based solutions to restore marine ecosystems, strengthen coastal resilience, and contribute to the long-term protection of biodiversity.
About rrreefs
rrreefs is a Swiss/Germany-based environmental organisation dedicated to regenerating degraded coral reefs through innovative, science-based methodologies. Founded in 2020 by Ulrike Pfreundt, Marie Griesmar, Hanna Kuhfuss and Josephine Graf, the organization emerged from ETH Zurich and blends marine science, engineering, policy work, and art to regenerate reef ecosystems worldwide.
Copyrights: rrreefs AG