Brazil’s Coral Reefs Gain Tourist Support

Why this is here: Biologists estimate that roughly 25 percent of all marine species rely on coral reefs for shelter, growth, or food.

In Brazil, biologists near Puerto de Galinhas are growing new corals with help from tourists hoping to save threatened reefs. The team, led by Rudã Fernandes, collects broken coral pieces and nurtures them until they can be replanted. Family Benedetti from southern Brazil participated in the project, learning about coral reef ecosystems firsthand during their vacation.

About 80 percent of corals in parts of the reef near Porto de Galinhas died two years ago when water temperatures rose to nearly 31 degrees Celsius. The “Biofábrica de Corais” project aims to rebuild damaged reefs by allowing tourists to attach coral fragments to special bases where they can grow.

Participating tourists fund the project with a fee of about 60 euros per three-hour tour. While the initiative shows promise, coral growth is slow—taking decades for some species—and ocean warming remains a major threat.

Fernandes hopes to expand the program with more tourism partners. Family Benedetti will continue to follow the progress of the corals they helped plant as “coral parents.”