The reef beneath the surf break

The initiative, led by the Maldives Coral Institute in partnership with Mars Global and Sheba Hope Grows, will see the installation of 400 "reef stars" around the island’s reef. The structures – iron frames coated with sand, upon which coral fragments are attached with cable ties – form the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS), a method that has been deployed in reef rehabilitation projects across the Maldives and beyond.

Once placed on damaged reef areas, the coral fragments on the "reef stars" start to grow. Over time, the corals completely grow over the reef stars to form a new coral reef habitat that  supports fish and other marine life.

The launch event brought together the Thulusdhoo Council, the Surfing Association of Thulusdhoo, the Women’s Development Committee and Amphibuzz Dive Center, alongside people from the island and even tourists. The involvement of local groups reflects a growing recognition that reef restoration works best when island communities are directly engaged.

Students from Thulusdhoo School also attended the launch, getting a close look at how coral restoration is carried out. Organisers described youth engagement as a key part of building long-term stewardship of the island’s reef – a vital ecosystem that protects shorelines, supports fisheries and underpins tourism.

Thulusdhoo, known internationally for its surf breaks, depends heavily on tourism. But like many reefs across the Maldives, most of the house reef have been affected by bleaching events and human pressures such as dredging and reclamation in recent years.

The installation of the Reef Stars marks a tangible step toward recovery – and signals that coral restoration in the Maldives is increasingly becoming a shared community effort rather than a purely for aesthetic purposes or scientific exercises.

The Maldives Coral Institute is a science-led organisation that researches, develops and implements ways to build coral resilience and protect reefs from irreversible loss. Founded in 2019, MCI works with communities, scientists and partners across the Maldives to help coral reefs survive and adapt to a changing climate.