Students from the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) at the Maldives National University visited the Marine Discovery Centre at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, operated by Reefscapers, gaining firsthand exposure to one of the longest-running coral restoration programmes.

During the visit, students learned about Reefscapers’ pioneering coral propagation programme, which began after the 1997–1998 El Niño bleaching event and has since planted several thousand coral frames. The technique, developed with Four Seasons support, involves attaching coral fragments onto metal frames planted on the seabed—a method now adopted by conservationists worldwide. Students also gained insight into the centre’s sea turtle rehabilitation work, where injured turtles rescued from entanglement in ghost fishing nets receive specialised care before release. The Marine Discovery Centre serves as the headquarters for guest education, coral frame sponsorships, and marine conservation programmes.

The visit formed part of CFOS’s commitment to experiential learning, offering students direct exposure to conservation practices that bridge scientific research with real-world application. By engaging with Reefscapers’ marine biologists, students observed how long-term partnerships between academia and the tourism industry can contribute to reef restoration, species protection, and ocean literacy in the Maldives.