Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, yet they support 25% of all marine life and provide food, income, and coastal protection for over 500 million people worldwide. These ancient ecosystems are now dying at an alarming rate due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing. For anyone who cares about the health of our oceans, the urgency is impossible to ignore.
SECORE International exists to meet that urgency. Founded in 2015, SECORE is a leading conservation organization dedicated to the sustainable restoration of coral reefs.
The philosophy behind SECORE's model is simple: restoration only works if it is locally driven and sustainable; we need to come together for a future of coral reefs!
The mission is straightforward but ambitious: creating and sharing the tools and technologies to sustainably restore coral reefs worldwide. Rather than simply planting corals, SECORE combines reef research, innovative engineering and hands-on training to create lasting, large-scale impact.
At the heart of SECORE's approach is a method called Coral Seeding; this technique takes advantage of corals' own natural reproduction potential, promoting genetic diversity, which is critical for coral resilience in a changing climate. By breeding genetically diverse corals, SECORE aims to buy reefs the critical time they need to adapt and recover. The results speak for themselves: during the devastating 2023 Caribbean heatwave, SECORE's bred corals stayed healthy while most wild corals bleached and many died.
What truly distinguishes SECORE's work is its implementation model, which places local communities at the center of restoration. The Training and Capacity Building Program makes a long-term investment in each region, with partners committing to a five-year program designed to fully hand over the project to the local team by the end. The training combines field visits with online seminars, mentoring, and peer-to-peer learning, equipping local organizations with the skills and knowledge to lead successful Coral Seeding efforts in their own waters.
For anyone who believes that protecting our planet requires both scientific innovation and genuine community partnership, SECORE International works with an approach worth knowing—and supporting.