A research team by Prof. Ezri Tarazi as part of the Design-Tech Lab at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology recently conducted a field project on Beqa Island, Fiji, aimed at restoring coral reefs damaged by climate change. The initiative was carried out in collaboration with marine biologists from Bar-Ilan University, led by Prof. Oren Levy, and Blue Ocean, an American NGO operating in Fiji on sustainability and social impact projects.
This innovative project demonstrates how technology, design, and local knowledge can be combined to create effective, sustainable coral reef restoration solutions.
The Urgency of Coral Reef Restoration
Ocean warming, human activities, and other environmental stressors have led to global coral reef decline. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), approximately 44% of reef-building corals are at risk of extinction. Beyond their ecological significance, coral reefs provide food sources, coastal protection, and carbon absorption. The economic activities related to them – including tourism and fishing – are estimated to generate tens of billions of dollars annually.
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