This story is a part of the GenOcean campaign — an official Ocean Decade campaign showcasing Decade Actions, collaborating organizations and ocean leaders that focus on youth and citizen science opportunities to help anyone, anywhere be the change the ocean needs.
In the turquoise Caribbean waters just off the coast of the island of Cozumel, Mexico, something extraordinary is taking root, literally! Coral by coral, idea by idea, Cozumel Coral Conservatory (CozCC) is building a future where ocean conservation thrives through creativity, science and collaboration. As an endorsed Ocean Decade Action, CozCC addresses three Ocean Decade Challenges:
2 – Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity;
4 – Develop a sustainable, resilient and equitable ocean economy; and
9 – Skills, knowledge, technology and participation for all.
Working to scale coral coverage and restore healthy biodiversity in the Villa Blanca Reef specifically, CozCC is a coalition project that joins independent organizations, non-profits and individuals in an effort to protect this Mesoamerican reef. What makes CozCC different from other coral nurseries and conservation programs is its STEAM approach (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) that brings together researchers, artists, divers, students and local advocates to grow and plant corals, create reef-supporting sculptures, monitor marine life and teach the next generation of ocean stewards.
“The CozCC coalition was formed in 2022 to recognize a dedicated community that has been working informally together for many years to revive and protect the Villa Blanca Reef,” says CozCC lead Colleen Flanigan. “In 2017, we first began collaborating to monitor the endangered Acropora palmata (elkhorn coral) for spawning and assisted reproduction with training led by Dr. Johanna Calle of Iberostar’s Wave of Change initiatives, along with Dr. Germán Mendez of the Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program (CCRRP) and Dr. Ernesto Arias of LEEAC-CINVESTAV, Merida.
Sand Dollar Sports Dive Shop offered space for training and lab research, which accommodated the many volunteers of all ages and backgrounds that wanted to participate,” she continues. “Working cooperatively in an alliance across disciplines is so important to build momentum for coral recovery and CozCC success. We face many challenges from development and environmental threats, yet the commitment and love for what we do keeps us focused, envisioning and working to support a colorful, thriving reefscape.”
From natural coral heads to sculptural reef installations, the Villa Blanca Reef is teeming with life and imagination. The shallow depth allows for direct public access from shore, making it an ideal place for both recreational snorkelers and researchers to get involved. Courses, immersive workshops, internships and citizen science programs are hosted regularly, turning curiosity into action and tourists into advocates.
A typical day for a CozCC member combines science research, hands-on conservation methods and education for their community and includes at least one of the following:
- monitoring coral health, growth and spawning;
- cleaning away algae, cultivating corals, coral nurseries and transplanting;
- training volunteers about coral biology, reef ecology and scientific diving;
- designing and building capacity for sustainable activities and interactions with marine life;
- investigating holistic methods and approaches to enhance biodiversity and the balance of the ecosystem (e.g. integration of native herbivores to eat smothering algae);
- solving emergent problems (e.g. shade cloths for bleaching, removal of coral-eating predators);
- evaluating temperature, water quality and inflow of contaminants;
- hosting ocean and beach cleanups;
- conducting research and writing reports and publications;
- presenting to the public;
- hosting art events and exhibitions;
- raising awareness to prevent and transform destructive shortsighted development; and
- supporting a blue economy that values the irreplaceable reefs and natural environment that supports all life on the island.
“In 2022, CozCC became an endorsed UN Ocean Decade project focusing on ‘Harmonizing Humans with Oceans’ in this unprotected tract of reef,” says Flanigan. “Our coalition has grown and become more resilient through this initiative, just like our replanted corals. Additionally, we have integrated more artworks as artificial reefs into our restoration methods this year.”
Cozumel Coral Conservatory collaborated with artist Kaith Shmerko of Touch Pottery to integrate her original handmade ceramics into the Villa Blanca Reef coral restoration zone to promote the propagation of new life taking the form of art.
“I’ve always felt a profound connection to the ocean,” says Shmerko. “Learning about the loss of coral reefs deeply moved me, and I felt to respond through my art. That’s how the Reef Memory project was born as a way to preserve and honor the ocean’s fragile beauty.”
Zoe-Living Sea Sculpture is a unique electrified mineral accretion artificial reef that has been evolving in the Villa Blanca Reef for eight and a half years. By moving low volt electricity through seawater, it attracts ocean minerals to crystallize onto the steel structure, providing a natural and sustainable surface for corals to calcify and grow. It has become home for not only corals, but octopuses, fishes, eels, sponges, urchins and more. This living memorial sculpture was made by Flanigan to be an ongoing collaboration with the ocean.
These coral-inspired artistic artificial reefs aim to help preserve and foster biodiversity by providing habitat and shelter for marine life while also raising awareness about the urgent need to protect, respect and rehabilitate vital ocean ecosystems.
Working as a coalition to scale coral restoration and associated STEAM opportunities, CozCC aspires to become a model of sustainable, mixed-use coral sanctuary in one of the last public, easily accessible and biodiverse coastal swimming and diving spots on the western side of Cozumel.
Larger future goals for the rest of the Ocean Decade include forming and supporting a congruent body of coral reef restoration practitioners in Cozumel, enhancing reef connectivity, furthering research of novel, nature-based coral substrates and marine biodiversity of this area, becoming a strong advocate for protection of the Villa Blanca Reef, making a micro-fragmentation lab and biobank, increasing ocean nurseries to generate resilient coral genotypes, mapping and data collection to serve the region and global databases and developing curriculum for youth mentoring programs that support next generations in ocean careers.
This area is a dive spot where an estimated 60 dive operators train students. It is an underwater classroom, a biodiversity hotspot and a community-driven living lab with bronze busts honoring iconic ocean explorers including Jacques Cousteau, Sylvia Earle and Ramón Bravo reminding us of the infinite discoveries yet to be made in the ocean.
How can you get involved?
Follow @cozumelcoralconservatory on Instagram to stay connected and learn how you can help protect the Villa Blanca Reef. Want even more coral reef content? Watch the livestream of Zoe-Living Sea Sculpture to see the reef’s story unfold.
“Cozumel IS the LIVING REEF. All life on this island depends on its healthy reefs, clean water, shore protection and the places people can visit to feel that they are a part of nature’s wonder, beauty and abundance,” says Flanigan. “Villa Blanca is a public reef, it’s accessible and it’s alive with regenerative possibility. This makes it an ideal location for our coral restoration projects, but we need your help to protect it and share our stories to ensure future generations can enjoy it.”
Read more GenOcean stories on our webpage.
