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The low-lying Maldivian islands are protected from wave erosion by their coral reefs. Despite making up less than 0.25% of the global marine environment, coral reefs provide food and shelter for over 25% of all marine species; they also put food on our table and increase income from tourism and recreational activities. In 1998, a mass coral bleaching caused by a dramatic El Niño event resulted in the death of 90% of Maldivian coral colonies located above a depth of 15 metres. Enter Seamarc…
 "Four Seasons first approached us in 2001," recalls Thomas Le Berre – a French coastal oceanographer and founder of environmental consultancy Seamarc, who has been living in the Maldives since 1998. "They were concerned at the lack of coral around the resort and wanted to know what could be done to help. We experimented with artificial reef ball structures but met little success due to their weight and rigid structure."
 So when the need arose to save the coral colonies at threat during construction of the second Four Seasons Resort in the Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru in the Baa Atoll, a new technique was required. "We developed pioneering and lightweight substrate structures and attached the coral fragments with cable ties," explains Thomas. The coral frame was born. But the work was only just beginning…
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