Since 2021, marinecultures.org has been sharing its knowledge and training fishers, park rangers, and other interested people to become coral farmers. The goal of the program is to empower local people to restore coral reefs on their own and protect them in the long term.
The course begins even before the actual hands-on training: all participants complete the online theory course “Coral Reef Restoration” in advance. Building on this knowledge, participants then take part in one to four weeks of hands-on training on-site at our training centre in Jambiani or at our house reef in the ocean. Here, they learn our proven methods and the technical skills necessary for effective and cost-efficient coral restoration.
The courses are conducted in both Kiswahili and English. A prerequisite for participation is a recognized scuba diving certification (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent).
Prerequisite: successful completion of the Conservation Training online theory course “Coral Reef Restoration.” This in-depth theory course consists of seven lessons covering strategic planning for coral reef restoration, coral propagation, improving and stabilizing the physical reef structure, and monitoring the success of restoration efforts.
Access to the e-learning course will be granted once you have registered.
On-site training: In the morning, we’ll cover the basics: why coral reefs are important, which ecological and socioeconomic pressures threaten them, and what role local communities play in their protection. You’ll learn about the most common coral species in the lagoon and how their ecology and growth patterns affect restoration methods. You’ll be introduced to the various techniques and materials used in coral farming. Step by step, we’ll explain the entire farming process: gamete collection and fragment harvesting, planting and securing the cuttings, care and cleaning, transplantation strategies, and post-transplant monitoring on the reef. Special attention will be given to preserving genetic and functional diversity: how do you effectively combine species, and why is diversity essential for long-term resilience?
In the afternoon, the focus is on practice: during a supervised dive, all steps of the process are put into practice. Participants collect their own cuttings or use prepared ones, attach them to the coral tables, and practice repair and maintenance techniques. The session covers collection, planting, maintenance techniques, labelling the units, and initial documentation steps.
The course covers both methods that work with simple resources and tips on cost-effective upgrades to improve survival rates. The goal is to enable participants to independently plan, carry out, and document coral farming activities—with a clear focus on sustainability, diversity, and local feasibility.
Are you interested in participating? For more information, dates, and registration, please contact info@marinecultures.org.
In 2025 alone, 20 local and international participants successfully completed our training program. A total of five intensive, 10-day training courses were held at our training centre. The graduates come from organizations such as the Mwambao Coastal Community Network, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and Ocean Without Borders.
Since the launch of our training program, we have trained a total of 52 active coral restorers from the region. Today, they are applying their newly acquired knowledge in various areas of the Western Indian Ocean and helping to multiply the impact of our restoration work.
