Marevivo's campaign for the protection of Mediterranean corals

The pilot project starts from the Ustica Marine Protected Area with the protection of Cladocora caespitosa.

Resistant to five mass extinctions, corals are among the oldest organisms on the planet. However, today their survival is at risk, threatened by climate change and human activities. In recent decades, about 50% of the world’s coral reefs have been destroyed or severely compromised, and the same is happening in the Mediterranean, a cradle of valuable yet little-known corals. The loss of these delicate organisms will continue unless urgent and effective actions are taken to protect them. To ensure their conservation, the Marevivo Foundation has launched “MedCoral Guardians,” a project aimed at protecting Mediterranean corals. It seeks to raise greater awareness among the public through educational and research activities directed at students and divers.

The initiative begins in Ustica, Sicily, with the support of the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation, in collaboration with the Ustica Marine Protected Area, Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, the Polytechnic University of Marche, and Rutgers University. In the waters around the small Sicilian island, you can admire Cladocora caespitosa, a coral typical of the Mediterranean, known as the “cushion coral,” which represents one of the most important reef-building organisms in the region. It can form coral reefs comparable in size and richness of animal and plant species to those found in tropical waters.

Corals are essential for biodiversity and the proper functioning of marine ecosystems. They provide habitat and shelter for many species, hosting around 25% of marine life. They also help mitigate wave energy and reduce coastal erosion. Although they may appear to be plants or rocks, corals are soft-bodied animals (called polyps) that anchor themselves to the seabed, surround themselves with a hard calcium carbonate skeleton, and form colonies made up of thousands of individuals.

“We are launching our project from the beautiful waters of Ustica, the first Marine Protected Area established in Italy, thanks in part to Marevivo. The project combines awareness, research, and restoration efforts using innovative and non-invasive techniques,” explains Raffaella Giugni, General Secretary of Marevivo. “The project includes the active participation of citizens and educational programs for local schoolchildren, as well as training courses for diving centers to raise awareness among tourists. Submarine trails with panels will be organized to observe the Cladocora colonies in different states of conservation, and informational materials will be distributed about the project, the species, and the threats to its survival because we can only protect what we know.”

Summer heatwaves can cause coral bleaching, and ocean acidification slows their growth and recovery abilities because they have calcium carbonate skeletons. Wild anchoring causes entire colonies to break apart, contributing to the loss of these habitats, which is why we are focused on their ecological restoration,” emphasizes Professor Roberto Danovaro, Professor of Biology at the Polytechnic University of Marche.

“MedCoral Guardians is a project aimed at preserving Cladocora caespitosa, the most important bio-constructor coral endemic to the Mediterranean. But it is also an example of effective collaboration between public bodies, non-profit organizations, local operators, and citizens,” says Davide Bruno, Director of the Ustica Marine Protected Area. “The synergy between institutions and associations is crucial for the success of initiatives like these, because only by actively involving the local community can we develop strategies to monitor and preserve all species that inhabit our Marine Protected Area. Citizen participation is a key element: raising awareness among the population about the importance of conservation is a fundamental step toward creating a culture of respect for our environment. We are convinced that only by joining forces can we make a difference and ensure a better future for our seas.”

The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation supports Marevivo in its commitment to marine ecosystem protection and raising awareness among new generations. This partnership stems from the shared vision of Rosalba Giugni and Elsa Peretti, who, united by their passion for the Mediterranean, launched an initial project to protect the sea in 2007. The oceans were a major source of inspiration for Elsa, who, as a child, would collect seashells along the shore—the first sign of a deep connection to the sea that would influence both her artistic vision and philanthropic efforts. “What instilled in me a deep respect for the ocean was diving into its depths,” Elsa Peretti said in 1990. “This fleeting miracle has never ceased to amaze me, and now I pay tribute to those hours beneath the waves in some of my creations.” Coral, a symbol of the balance between strength and fragility, was her favorite natural element, but aware of its vulnerability, Elsa chose to stop using it and dedicated herself to its protection.

As part of a citizen science initiative, “MedCoral Guardians” involves divers who will participate in the census and monitoring of colonies to actively contribute to the conservation of this essential coral species in the Mediterranean.

Marevivo’s campaign for the protection of Mediterranean corals

Articoli correlati