Soneva Fushi coral reef summit highlights need for swift action

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The Soneva Foundation Coral Restoration program has held critical discussions about the urgent plight of coral reefs in the Maldives and around the world at Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.The event, which took place from 9 to 12 January 2025, brought together leading coral scientists, marine conservationists and innovative finance experts to chart transformative solutions for reef restoration and regeneration on a global scale.Co-facilitated by Professor Callum Roberts from the University of Exeter and Karen Sack, Executive Director of the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), the three-day Soneva Dialogue on Coral Reef Restoration and Resilience explored the impact of climate change on coral ecosystems.“Scientific research and practical experience tell us that now is the time for a shift in emphasis from restoration to regeneration, pairing resource-intensive local projects with large-scale ocean management and protection to promote reef recovery and resilience,” Roberts said.

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“Coral restoration has been largely backward-looking, aiming to put back what has been lost. It must now pivot to being future-focused, searching for and developing mixes of corals and other marine life that will keep reefs functional and resilient under changed future conditions.”Groundbreaking restoration techniques being trialled at Soneva Fushi and beyond were also highlighted.The Dialogue culminated in a joint declaration, emphasising the critical need for swift and large-scale action. It stressed that, without bold interventions, the world risks losing the majority of its tropical coral reefs within decades.

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