Between 2025 and early 2026, Coral Garden Conservation (CGC) supported the Mitsamiouli–Ndroudé Marine Protected Area (Union of the Comoros) through two Varuna AMP tutoring projects focused on coral restoration and long-term capacity building. The first phase strengthened local skills in coral reef ecology, site selection, nursery set-up, fragment collection and maintenance, and basic monitoring, including photo documentation and simple growth analysis using 2D tools. This created an operational local team and practical restoration routines that can be replicated within the MPA.
The second phase shifted from nursery development to in-situ restoration through the establishment of coral gardens using spiderframes. To date, 15 spiderframes have been deployed and approximately 150 coral colonies have been transplanted, creating new coral garden units on priority reef areas. An additional ~450 colonies are planned for transplantation as part of the continued expansion of these gardens. Critically, 15 members of the Marine Park team were trained in coral restoration operations, including safe handling, attachment techniques, maintenance, and post-transplantation monitoring. Together, these two phases provide a scalable, locally owned model for coral restoration in the Western Indian Ocean.
Relevant Links: https://www.ecomarineconsultantsltd.org/varuna-project
