The Maldives is known for hosting unforgettable moments, but this month, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives marked a milestone with deeper meaning: the planting of its 9,000th coral frame, in partnership with Reefscapers.
This achievement is part of a two-decade-long marine conservation initiative that began after the 1997-1998 El Niño bleaching event.
Led by coastal oceanographer Thomas Le Berre, the project introduced an innovative coral frame method—now used globally—that attaches coral fragments to metal frames and restores reefs on the ocean floor.
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Spanning over three acres, it’s one of the world’s largest artificial reef networks and has grown into a multifaceted program.
Both Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa resorts house Marine Discovery Centres staffed by 11 marine biologists working on everything from coral spawning and turtle rehabilitation to breeding ornamental reef fish. Landaa also launched The Manta Trust, now a global charity focused on manta ray conservation.
The program has continued to evolve with cutting-edge tools like an AI-driven catamaran that enhances monitoring, contributing to the world’s largest coral restoration study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution.
Guests at Four Seasons’ resort islands and its private island, Voavah, can plant their own coral frames and track growth online.
When 90% of Baa Atoll’s shallow reefs were bleached in 2016, the team didn’t give up. In 2024, anticipating another bleaching event, they relocated nearly 500 coral frames—about 28,000 corals—to deeper, safer waters.
On Fulhadhoo Island, making coral frames also supports the local economy, with specially treated metal rebars used to house healthy coral fragments.
Education remains a key focus. Local school visits, internships, and guest experiences—including junior programs and hands-on reef building—help inspire a new generation of ocean stewards. Four Seasons also sponsors coral frames weekly, with most funded by guests who want to make a difference.
“Our 9,000th frame is more than a number—it’s a symbol of hope,” says Armando Kraenzlin, Regional VP and GM at Landaa Giraavaru. “We’re seeing marine life flourish again—small species returning, which draws back sharks, rays, and turtles. It shows that with effort and care, we can help restore balance to the ocean.”
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