The Firewall Project: Utilizing Fire Coral to Boost Coral Restoration Efforts
Published at: February 5th, 2026 by Lena StarcevicThe "Firewall Project" investigates how Millepora complanata can create a favorable environment, boost the survival of our bred corals, and advance SECORE’s Coral Restoration toolbox.
SECORE International, in partnership with Reef Renewal Foundations Curaçao and Bonaire and CARMABI Foundation, is advancing the Firewall Project. This research initiative is aimed at leveraging the critically endangered Caribbean blade fire coral, Millepora complanata, as a pioneer species to enhance coral restoration outcomes, while simultaneouly aiding the recovery of this important species.
Research conducted by the team behind the Firewall Project, led by Dr. Valérie Chamberland since 2023 has shown promising results.
Fire Coral and Coral Offspring
Data indicates that young corals growing within fire coral blades, fare better—their chance of survival even increases by up to fourfold.
The work also demonstrates that fire corals offer a coral-favorable environment; Substrates conditioned near fire coral blades are attractive for settling coral larvae in search of beneficial biofilms.
Importantly, blade fire corals themselves are critically endangered in the Caribbean. This project therefore also contributes directly to the recovery of this hydrocoral that builds, strengthens, and diversifies shallow-water reef frameworks.
Propagation of the Blade Fire Coral
Over the past year, the team achieved initial success in propagating Millepora complanata through fragmentation.
A significant milestone was also the first documented observation of their sexual reproduction in the Caribbean.
At the Reef Futures 2024 Conference in Mexico, a global symposium on Coral Restoration bringing together scientists and practitioners in the field, Lars ter Horst and Dr. Valérie Chamberland presented research findings, including methods to better understand both asexual and sexual reproduction of this understudied species.
To further support the restoration community in applying this research, our team has published a detailed guide: "A step-by-step guide for the asexual propagation of the critically endangered Caribbean blade fire coral, Millepora complanata." Now available here.
Learn more about the project's beginnings and goals from Dr. Valérie Chamberland, SECORE’s Research Scientist, in this interview: watch on YouTube or Instagram
This form is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.