Last updated: October 2024
The Acropora Project is a coral restoration initiative launched in 2015 by the Martinican Regional Directorate of Environment, Planning, and Housing, primarily implemented by the nonprofit organization Assomer. It focuses on two critically endangered Caribbean coral species: Acropora cervicornis and Acropora palmata, as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. While Acropora palmata thrives on the Atlantic seabed of Martinique, Acropora cervicornis had seemingly vanished from local waters by 2007, despite previously providing crucial habitats for marine life. However, this species was rediscovered in 2013 at Loup Caravelle on the Atlantic side of Martinique. The initiative began by extracting cuttings from both species at Loup Caravelle and nurturing them at a separate site in Le Diamant. In 2019, these corals were transplanted to three locations on the seabed of Sainte-Luce, demonstrating surprising growth patterns despite the site's low to medium environmental quality. The project's primary aim was to prevent the permanent disappearance of both coral species through spatial replication techniques, including cutting and transplantation. Particular attention was given to enhancing the genetic variability and range of Acropora cervicornis. The initiative also aimed to raise awareness about current coral conservation challenges. Additionally, the project included a research component that contributed to a better understanding of environmental conservation and the restoration of Acropora cervicornis populations. Unfortunately, a temperature increase at the end of 2023 resulted in the decimation of all corals at the transplant sites. (Ref. 1 -5)
The domes used to regenerate coral reefs
Screenshot taken from: https://www.lassomer.fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/VF_RA_2023.pdf
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Other
Key challenges
- Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14)
- Marine and coastal biodiversity protection
- Marine and coastal research and/or education
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Climate-Related Hazards
- Heat stress & Extreme temperatures
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Poor water quality
- Resource Scarcity and Competition
- Over-exploitation of natural resources (water resources, overgrazing, fisheries, mangroves, fore products)
Key priorities
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community
Focus
Coastal landscape management or protection, Coral reef restoration, Protection of natural ecosystems, Habitat restoration, Marine and coastal conservation initiatives, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs, Scientific research of biodiversity or ecosystems, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Habitat mapping, restoration and monitoring-focused management, Citizen science and monitoring initiatives (e.g. species observations, habitat assessments, and data collection efforts), Species-specific monitoring and conservation programs
Project objectives
To collaborate with diving clubs for participatory monitoring and data collection on coral growth, aiming to assess conservation possibilities by comparing the genetic diversity of cuttings with naturally occurring reef populations.
To restore the presence of Acropora cervicornis and Acropora palmata in the Caribbean by increasing their range and genetic variability.
To raise public awareness about coral conservation and the stressors affecting coral degradation. (Ref. 1, 3)
Implementation activities
-2015: Cuttings (5 cm fragments) of AC and AP were taken from mother colonies located at the Loup Caravelle site by the Impact-Mer research office (on order from DEAL Martinique). They are then placed in experimental conservation nursery in Le Diamant (Ref 4).
- From 2016 to 2019: the management of the nurseries is taken over by Asso-Mer (Ref 3)
-2017: Sainte-Luce seabed identified as appropriate site for the intervention. Temporary authorization to occupy the seafloor is delivered in 2019.
-2019: domes are placed on 3 sites (Corps de Garde (38 cuttings), Caye Ouest (28 cuttings), Caye Est (41 cuttings)), located between 8 and 9 meters deep, equipped with moorings.
-Between 2019 and 2022, the growth is regularly monitored, exhibiting different levels of regeneration, informing knowledge on genetic diversity, dome restoration methods and the general health of AC in Martinique (Ref 1).
-Between 2019 and 2022 Assomer holds several workshops with the public and engages with local actors on the conservation of corals (Ref 1; 3).
-In 2022, coral growth exceeds the welcoming capacity of the domes, an indicator of success.
-In September 2023 all sites experience heavy bleaching due to temperature rises, the domes are lowered to depths of between 13 and 18m (Ref 1). Two months, they had all died (Ref 4).
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Coastal communities
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore native species
- Restore valued species
- Restore endangered species
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Unknown
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Regional government
- Non-government organisation/civil society
- Researchers/university
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Taskforce groups
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
- Co-management/Joint management
- Citizen monitoring and review
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The project was initiated in 2015 on the demand of the regional government agency: DEAL. The implementation and management of the project was first undertaken by the Impact-Mer research office, then was taken over by Assomer (2016-2023). It partnered with the city of Sainte-Luce and with the Natiyabel, Kawan and Kariba diving clubs for monitoring, technical support and manufacturing nurseries. The RSMA (Adapted Military Service Regiment of Martinique) also helped with building the domes. It collaborated with the research institutions: Borea, CD Genomics, SeaLens, and the OVSM-IPGP. Asso-Mer participates in bi-annual meetings of the IFRECOR (local coral reef conservation stakeholder committees). Financial support was provided by the Martinique Water Office (ODE) (36%), the DEAL (27%), the municipality of Sainte Luce (13%), Fondation de la Mer (NGO) (16%) and Assomer’s own funds (8%) (Ref 4; 5).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
City network or regional partnerships focused on climate change, sustainability, GI or NBS in the city, Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
€100,000 - €500,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
- Public regional budget
- Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
- Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Generation of income from NBS
- Expected generation of income from NBS
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Achieved increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Ecosystems and biodiversity, Habitat destruction, fragmentation, or alteration (e.g. use of monocultures)
References
1.
Assomer (2023). Projet de conservation de coraux en Martinique. Bilan et retours d’expérience 2015-2023 Assomer, Accessed on September 27, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Conseil National de la Protection de la Nature (2021). AVIS DU CONSEIL NATIONAL DE LA PROTECTION DE LA NATURE. Accessed on September 28, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Assomer (n.d.). Conservation de coraux. lassomer.fr, Accessed on September 28, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Assomer (2024). PROJET ACROPORA. RAPPORT D’ACTIVITÉ 2023 lassomer.fr, Accessed on September 28, 2024, [Source link];
5.
France Antilles Martinique (2023). En voie d'extinction, des coraux ont réussi à pondre à Sainte-Luce. martinique.franceantilles, Accessed on September 28, 2024, [Source link];
6.
INSEE (2024). Dossier complet Commune de Sainte-Luce (97227). insee.fr, Accessed on September 28, 2024, [Source link];
7.
Ville de Sainte-Luce (n.d.). Aire Marine Concerté Waliwa. sainteluce.fr, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link];
Monitoring activities
Screenshot taken from: https://www.lassomer.fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/VF_RA_2023.pdf
Assomer
https://www.lassomer.fr/nos-actions-et-projets/bouturage-de-coraux/
Assomer
https://www.lassomer.fr/nos-actions-et-projets/bouturage-de-coraux/
Assomer
https://www.lassomer.fr/nos-actions-et-projets/bouturage-de-coraux/
Assomer
https://www.lassomer.fr/nos-actions-et-projets/bouturage-de-coraux/
Assomer
https://www.lassomer.fr/nos-actions-et-projets/bouturage-de-coraux/
Assomer
https://www.lassomer.fr/nos-actions-et-projets/bouturage-de-coraux/
Assomer
https://www.lassomer.fr/nos-actions-et-projets/bouturage-de-coraux/
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.