Through the Reef Rescue Network (RRN) in partnership with Atlantis–Paradise Island and the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, that’s exactly what’s happening—every day, in The Bahamas.
The Reef Rescue Network unites scientists, local dive shops, non-profits, resorts, and forward-thinking businesses under one mission: restore broken reefs. With your help, the non-profit has now planted more than 10,000 coral fragments onto struggling reefs, transforming once-barren seascapes into bustling underwater cities of fish, crustaceans, and dazzling marine biodiversity.
Here’s how coral restoration works, step by step:
- Collection: Healthy coral fragments are carefully collected from source colonies or naturally broken corals, ensuring we don’t harm existing reef ecosystems.
- Nursery Growth: These fragments are placed in underwater coral nurseries—tree-like structures that provide ideal conditions for growth. Over the course of about a year, the corals grow larger and stronger, preparing them for life on the reef.
- Planting: Once the corals are ready, divers clip fragments from the nurseries and plant them onto degraded reef areas. Each fragment is strategically placed to rebuild the reef’s structure and restore habitat for marine life.
- Monitoring and Maintenance: After planting, the corals are closely monitored using cutting-edge tools like photomosaic imaging, which stitches thousands of high-resolution photos together to track growth, health, and ecosystem recovery. These efforts ensure the corals are thriving and identify areas that may need additional support.
Atlantis & Reef Rescue Network: A legacy of conservation
At Atlantis, our collaboration with the Reef Rescue Network and its parent non-profit, the Perry Institute for Marine Science, has been a cornerstone of our commitment to ocean conservation. In 2019, we co-created a coral nursery in Atlantis’ lagoon, focusing on breeding resilient finger coral (Porites) species. This unique setup mimics the dynamic conditions of the natural reef environment, ensuring corals are prepared for life in the wild.
Additionally, we established an ocean-based nursery offshore of Paradise Island, growing critically endangered staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis). This dual approach allows us to propagate and plant robust corals onto designated reefs, blending cutting-edge science with hands-on action.
Our guests play an active role in this initiative. By participating in coral nursery maintenance or coral planting, visitors experience an immersive connection to the ocean while making a meaningful impact.
Join the Tide of Change
Ready to dive into conservation? Your next Bahamian vacation could be more than just a getaway—it’s an opportunity to contribute to the health of our planet’s oceans. By joining coral restoration activities at Atlantis-Paradise Island, you’ll not only return home with unforgettable memories but also with the knowledge that you’ve left a positive mark on the underwater world.
Written by: Lily Haines | Perry Institute for Marine Science| lhaines@perryinstitute.org
