I have always had this desire to act for marine ecosystems, and after several years of working in Indonesia with Coral Guardian, it was time to return to the Mediterranean.
Coral Soul, supported by Coral Guardian, is an initiative led by Marina Palacios and her team in Spain, with a flagship project: Deep Core, a deep reef restoration program in the Mediterranean Sea. This adventure is the story of an encounter, a collaboration and a shared commitment to the protection of life.
Why restore coral ecosystems in the Mediterranean?
A little-known but vital ecosystem
When we talk about coral reefs, we immediately think of the lagoons of Polynesia or the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. But in reality, the Mediterranean is also home to corals that are essential to marine biodiversity.
Among them are the candelabra coral ( Dendrophyllia ramea ) and the orange coral ( Astrides calycularis ), two iconic species that form complex habitats for many marine species. These corals are now in rapid decline due to warming waters, pollution and destructive fishing practices.
A sea under pressure
The Mediterranean is a virtually enclosed sea, where human impacts are exacerbated. Between industrial pollutants, plastics, overfishing and unregulated anchoring, the reefs are disappearing before our eyes.
I have always believed that "humans protect what makes them live", and that is why it is essential to involve local communities in conservation. Coral Soul and Deep Core are based on this approach: combining science, field action and awareness to create a lasting impact.
Coral Soul: a human adventure for conservation
The birth of a committed project
When I met Marina Palacios, founder of Coral Soul, I immediately understood that we had the same vision. Marina is passionate, a lover of the sea, and above all, a person determined to protect this unique environment.
“I think that when you see one of the things you love most being destroyed, you have to be part of the solution and dedicate your life to protecting it.” – Marina Palacios.
Coral Guardian and Coral Soul decided to work together to restore the coral ecosystems of Punta de la Mona, Spain. This area, once an underwater sanctuary teeming with life, had lost much of its biodiversity in just a few decades.
An exceptional site in danger
Punta de la Mona, located on the southern coast of Spain, is a true underwater treasure. Local fishermen and divers say that in the 60s and 70s the corals there were gigantic, some reaching more than 80 cm in height.
For decades, the site has been affected by bottom trawling, boat anchors and coral poaching. It was time to act, and that is how Deep Core was born.
Deep Core: Restoring the Mediterranean's Deep Reefs
A scientific and participatory approach
The Deep Core project was launched with a dual objective:
Restoring degraded coral ecosystems
Create a movement of awareness and local engagement
Unlike tropical reefs, Mediterranean corals are deeper and require adapted techniques. We have therefore implemented several actions:
Identification of priority areas to be restored using scientific surveys.
Marine debris cleanup: More than 1,000 kg of ghost nets and abandoned fishing gear were removed.
Coral cutting and transplantation techniques to strengthen existing colonies.
Monitoring and tracking of restored corals, with the help of marine biologists and volunteer divers.
The first encouraging results
In just three years, Deep Core has already shown concrete results:
750 coral colonies restored on the site.
Increased biodiversity with the return of emblematic species such as the brown grouper.
Raising awareness among more than 1,200 people, including divers, fishermen and tourists.
"We see how life is gradually returning, how corals and associated species are recolonizing the reefs. It's an underwater renaissance." – Marina Palacios.
Destructive fishing practices
Some fishing methods seriously damage corals:
Bottom trawling: destruction of coral habitats.
Red coral fishing: overexploitation having reduced its populations by 60% in 30 years (Bruckner et al., 2018).
The importance of local involvement
Working with communities for sustainable conservation
One of the keys to Deep Core's success is its participatory approach. We involved:
Local diving clubs, which contribute to monitoring the restored reefs.
Fishermen, who participate in the monitoring and protection of corals.
Schools and universities, to raise awareness among the new generation.
"I have always been convinced that science and field commitment must go hand in hand. We only protect well what we understand and what we directly depend on." – Martin Colognoli.
The Future of Deep Core and Coral Soul
Towards an expansion of the program
We have come a long way, but the work has only just begun . Future goals:
Multiplying the number of catering sites in the Mediterranean.
Strengthen regulations on anchoring and fishing around coral reefs .
Developing new restoration techniques adapted to cold-water corals .
"What seemed like a dream a few years ago is now becoming a reality. Coral Soul has proven that restoring coralligenous ecosystems in the Mediterranean is possible." – Martin Colognoli.
Conclusion: A fight to continue
The Mediterranean is a fragile sea, but it has an incredible capacity for resilience. Thanks to projects like Coral Soul and Deep Core, we now have a chance to repair the damage of the past and protect these unique ecosystems.
I have learned over the years that marine conservation is above all a human adventure. It requires commitment, patience and a willingness to pass on knowledge. This is how we will build a future where Mediterranean corals continue to thrive.
Scientific references
Garrabou, J., et al. (2021). Climate change impacts on Mediterranean coral populations. Marine Ecology Progress Series .
IPCC (2018). Global Warming of 1.5°C - Impacts on marine ecosystems.
NOAA (2021). Coral Reef Conservation: Mediterranean case study.
UNEP (2020). Status of Coral Reefs in the Mediterranean: Threats and Conservation.
Bruckner, AW, et al. (2018). The exploitation and trade of Mediterranean red coral. Biological Conservation .
To understand and learn how to preserve coral and coral reefs.