Support Reef Restoration in the Mentawai Islands

Coral reefs are one of the ocean’s most powerful natural defenses. When healthy, they reduce wave energy, protect coastlines from erosion, and create safe habitats for marine life and coastal communities.

 

 In the Mentawai Islands, reef degradation has increased shoreline vulnerability and erosion. Restoring these ecosystems is not only about marine life — it is about protecting lagoons, coastlines, and the future of island communities.

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            In 2024, an extreme rise in ocean temperatures caused widespread coral bleaching across the Mentawai Islands, including our lagoon and surrounding reefs. These living reefs once acted as a natural barrier, reducing wave energy and protecting the coastline from erosion.

 

       As coral mortality increased, this protection weakened. Stronger swells began entering the lagoon, accelerating coastal erosion and exposing the island to increasingly severe wave impact.

 

   Our initial restoration efforts included artificial coral reefs built on iron structures. Following the bleaching and intensified ocean conditions, many of these structures were damaged or destroyed, leaving corals broken or swept away.

 

      In response, we adapted our approach. We are now rebuilding artificial reefs using more durable cement rings and natural rock structures designed to withstand strong tides and storm events. These structures provide stable foundations for reattaching rescued coral fragments, supporting reef recovery while helping restore natural coastal protection.

 

This initiative addresses both reef restoration and shoreline resilience. Contributions directly support reef construction materials, coral monitoring, and hands-on conservation work in protected lagoons of the Mentawai Islands.        

                                                                                                                     

What began as a pilot project is designed to scale across multiple communities, strengthening reef systems, reducing erosion, and protecting vulnerable coastlines for the long term.