Caribbean Coral Reef Restoration 2026 Tobago Blue Planet Science

Scalable Ocean Health Solution ESG & SDG Alignments Brings Youth Education Focus

I. RATIONAL 

Tobago relies on its coral reefs for ecological and economic stability but remains highly vulnerable to climate change. The island is seeking nature-positive solutions that integrate marine conservation with sustainable tourism and economic growth. In order to attain these goals, a North-East Tobago Man and the Biosphere Reserve (NETMABR) has been implemented. An IntelliReefs Oceanite artificial reef will enhance their incredible success at creating this reserve by increasing biodiversity and storing carbon through Oceanite’s mineral matrix. Carbon and biodiversity credits will be assessed per Oceanite surface area and made available for sale, reinforcing the economic ROI of conservation efforts. Collaborating with ERIC, we will ensure best-practice monitoring and research while restoring Tobago’s coral reefs, expanding this initiative throughout the Caribbean. 

As a UN Ocean Decade Endorsed member, IntelliReefs remains committed to supporting Caribbean communities by providing cutting-edge reef restoration technology, constantly evolving innovations within cutting edge nano-tech scientific expertise, and long-term conservation solutions. The Caribbean region presents an ideal location for an IntelliReefs Coral and Biodiversity Manufacturing & Research Facility with 125+ employees. Establishing Caribbean headquarters will further enhance our ability to collaboratively drive impactful, science-backed marine restoration efforts. Through strong partnerships with local, regional and  UN-UNESCO organizations, this facility will enable regional programs for the 2030-2050 conservation targets. Blue Carbon Efforts will be an imperative from the very beginning, owned by local communities, with an emphasis on Women Led Priorities, Education, Marine Biology Scholarships, publication opportunities and regional, UN Youth inclusion.

IntelliReefs pioneered Oceanite, proven to rehabilitate coral reefs damaged from bleaching, disease, damage and climate-induced stressors, adding coral settlement hardscape in places where no reefs are standing. Unlike previous artificial reef substrates, which lacked vast manufacturing scalability, oceanic adaptability, and effective water quality management, Oceanite represents the culmination of over 15 years of research and successful prototypes, including corals/sponges/CCA in Sint Maarten and kelp/shellfish in Canada. It leads the global market in nanomaterial matrix advancements for coral restoration, providing a sustainable, high-performance solution for marine ecosystem recovery. Oceanite has already published significant success in coral reef and habitat restoration, showing dense biodiversity throughout the module surface and interior voids (UN Endorsed Coral Restoration Project 112)

Our species-adaptable designs mimic natural reefs through complex surface textures, interior voids, and customizable mineral compositions, fostering rapid biodiversity acceptance, faster organism attraction, and deep settlement of corals, sponges, and algae, the perfect substrate for aquaculture, and lab/vessel species seeding. These marine organisms, in turn, support the recovery of fish and crustacean populations by providing habitat and food sources for diverse blue planet populations. Local economy ROI includes carbon and biodiversity credits from Oceanite, the opportunity for diverse tourism projects, and coastal defense scale optimization, providing beach protection with wave break systems, easily deployed where needed. Casting innovation using non-metallic, no corrosion reinforcement to the IntelliReefs Coral Restoration Modules, provides extension of durability for decades.

Caribbean Reef Fish and Sharks Thrive in a Healthy Ocean Environment

II. AIM 

Laying the foundation for future success by actualizing projects with collaborative ocean conservation science solutions brings positive, tangible impacts in Tobago and the larger Caribbean through biodiversity enhancement, coral reef restoration, tourism and community group inclusion.

III. OBJECTIVES 

The overall objective of the project is to improve healthy marine species biodiversity, increase tourism and regional partnerships in the North-East Tobago - Man and the Biosphere Reserve through an Oceanite Artificial Reef. The project will be achieved in three phases:

Phase I: Manufacture, deploy, and monitor initial 100 Oceanite Modules in the NETMABR.

Phase II: Manufacture, deploy, and monitor 600 Oceanite Modules in the NETMABR.

Phase III: Building of an IntelliReefs Coral and Biodiversity Manufacturing & Marine Solution Research Facility with 125+ employees. Location TBD Collaborative Governments and Island Capabilities.

Map of the North-East Tobago - Man and the Biosphere Reserve where the Oceanite modules will be deployed (exact locations to be decided).

IV. ORGANIZING PARTNERS 

• IntelliReefs: UN Endorsed Coral Restoration Project 112 Biomimicking Reef Hardscape

• Environmental Research Institute Charlottesville (ERIC)

• Coordinated within the North-East Tobago - Man and the Biosphere Reserve (NETMABR)

• GLISPA Global Islands

• Blue Planet Funding Organizations

• Earth Law Center Scholarships for Women in Rights of Nature

  

  Earth Law Nature Teams https://www.earthlawcenter.org/

  
  

  

  LINK To Oceanite Reef and Biodiversity SCIENCE

V. INDICATORS OF ACHIEVEMENT

Phase I: Successful deployment of 100 Oceanite modules and eventual sale of Carbon and Biodiversity Credits. Immediate monitoring of species through eDNA, visual monitoring, and video, in preparation for publication. All other Oceanite deployments show marine acceptance day one 

Phase II: Successful deployment of 600 Oceanite modules and eventual sale of Carbon and Biodiversity Credits. Enlarging monitoring teams, research and university partnerships, local education and outreach, and tourist/resort/beach property owner engagements. 

Phase III: Further enhance the ability to collaboratively drive impactful, science-backed marine restoration efforts through a Caribbean Manufacturing and Marine Research headquarters, in order to achieve  2030-2050 conservation targets. Community collaborative engagement will create a strong, high impact, global leadership role for Caribbean Islands in Marine System Restoration Best Practice.

Phase IV: “Transformative Change Showcase” Partners and Collaborators in Education, Awareness, Coral and Species Restoration Success Stories will share how they are working together towards collective goals for a transformative change in the global protection and conservation of island ecosystems, generating a blueprint for alternative income for all, highlighting women and youth, with accelerated climate resilience and ecosystem restoration. This effort will exemplify examples of different approaches to achieve success in fast-tracking designation, implementation and management of coastal and offshore MPAs.

MPA National Heritage: NETMABR will be represented, highlighting the creation of Caribbean Marine Protected Area of Community Inclusion, through a bottom-up and culturally inherent process, using scientific, legal, economic and social studies to protect the integrity of these projects, using the established “Cluster” of community Blue Planet actions.

Inception Phase: Innovation + Learning & Exchange Hub

Learning- network with regional R&D and education center rooted in blue planet lifeways, emerging science, and community-led innovation. Scholarships for Women in Ocean Science Centers, SDG 17 UN Youth for Blue. 

• Community-guided R&D on Oceanite materials and marine restoration

• Coral reef fish, turtle and sponge research and water quality pilot studies

• Youth mentorships, Indigenous science pathways, and hands-on labs

• Local scholarships for Marine Biologists

• Incentive-based compensation and shared value systems that center community control and long-term resilience.

  

"ERIC has a facility in which students can work. We can safely facilitate 4 workstations over several months or groups up to 15 for one or two weeks.

ERICs team (https://www.eric-tobago.org/team) which includes scientists, communication experts, and community-based field technicians can work on the monitoring data, outreach and education, we are doing this since a decade and can hire additional community based staff if required. We also have published and co-published before in local, national, and international papers. "

Aljoscha Wothke, MPhil.Bio.; PMP

CEO, Director ERIC Man-o-War Bay Cottages, Charlotteville Tobago,

Trinidad and Tobago

Catalyst & Activation Phase: Grantmaking & Scaling Impact

Expand impact by resourcing new projects designed and led by Indigenous and coastal communities.

• Oceanite Project Fund for local restoration and aquaculture innovation as requested and designed by Indigenous, island, and coastal communities

• Technical assistance and material support

• Regional knowledge-sharing network for cross-boundary collaboration

• Expansion of Oceanite applications to enhance environmental outcomes & integrate with complementary climate solutions across regional geographic coastlines

The NGO, Reef Life Foundation : Reef Life Foundation (501c3 EIN: 81-3695216). Was established in 2016 with a life saving mission: to research, develop, and deploy scientific coral reef, kelp, and oceanic species  habitats that protect vital ocean species from environmental stressors. Every day, we work to build homes for the ocean's homeless using IntelliReefs Multi-Species Incubator Systems on ocean floor regions that have been degraded due to pollution, overharvesting, and climate change. We aim to revitalize, restore, and protect these ecosystems for future generations of coral reef guardians through direct restoration and on-the-ground education and outreach with local conservation groups and NGOs to increase environmental justice, food security, fisheries, indigenous and coastal, small island developing nation communities. Our global projects encompass, SDG 14, SDG5 and other UN Decade United Nations Ocean Decade: 10 Challenges for Collective Impact (intellireefs.com)

Key Outcomes & Strategic Value for Blue Planet Funding Collaborators:

1. Scalable Ocean Health Solution with Global Impact

This initiative creates a replicable, community-governed model for restoring degraded marine ecosystems, protecting coastlines, and advancing regenerative aquaculture—with potential applications across the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

2. Carbon Sequestration & High-Integrity Blue Carbon Credits

Oceanite structures accelerate marine biodiversity regeneration (e.g. shellfish, seaweed, coral), which directly contributes to carbon sequestration through calcium carbonate formation and biomass growth. With proper monitoring and validation, this initiative can generate premium blue carbon credits—sought after on the voluntary carbon market (VCM) for their dual climate and biodiversity impact.

3. Food Security & Coastal Resilience

The project enhances food sovereignty by supporting Indigenous and community-led aquaculture, helping secure access to sustainable protein while buffering against supply chain shocks with a resource bank. Oceanite reefs also protect vulnerable shorelines from erosion and sea level rise.

4. Community Wealth & Education

Anchored by the Oceanite Manufacturing & Education Hub, the initiative creates skilled jobs, youth training, and local enterprise opportunities in biomaterials, marine restoration, and circular economy sectors—empowering communities historically excluded from ocean innovation and investment.

5. Alignment with ESG, SDGs, and Nature-Based Investment Mandates

The project advances multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), making it a powerful ESG-aligned investment vehicle for impact-focused portfolios.

6. Unique Partnership Model

The initiative is co-designed with Indigenous Nations, ocean scientists (IntelliReefs), and Reef Life Foundation, creating a rare blend of cultural legitimacy, technical innovation, and local governance. This trust-based model ensures long-term access, replication potential, and credibility in the marketplace.

science@intellireefs.com  Get in Touch with Ocean Science Teams!!

Phase 1: 100 Modules: Deployment of custom design Oceanite Modules; including site consultation, design, engineering, casting, shipping, vessel deployment personnel, research, quarterly monitoring, eDNA, and publication for 2 years. 100 Modules. Jamaica Marine Biology Laboratory Upgrades and new locations.

Phase 2: 600 Modules: Deployment of custom design Oceanite Modules; including site consultation, design, engineering, casting, shipping, vessel deployment personnel, research, quarterly monitoring, eDNA, and publication for 2 years. 600 Modules.   

Phase 3: Build out of Caribbean Operations Manufacturing Facility Coral and Marine Species Research Teams and Monitoring, Aquaculture Staff: 125+ employees for 3 years.   

The NGO, Reef Life Foundation : Reef Life Foundation (501c3 EIN: 81-3695216). Was established in 2016 with a life saving mission: to research, develop, and deploy scientific coral reef, kelp, and oceanic species  habitats that protect vital ocean species from environmental stressors. Every day, we work to build homes for the ocean's homeless using IntelliReefs Multi-Species Incubator Systems on ocean floor regions that have been degraded due to pollution, overharvesting, and climate change. We aim to revitalize, restore, and protect these ecosystems for future generations of coral reef guardians through direct restoration and on-the-ground education and outreach with local conservation groups and NGOs to increase environmental justice, food security, fisheries, indigenous and coastal, small island developing nation communities. Our global projects encompass, SDG 14, SDG5 and other UN Decade United Nations Ocean Decade: 10 Challenges for Collective Impact (intellireefs.com)     

Blue Funding with UN and Global Entities for Coral, Kelp and Coastal Restoration Systems:

ORRA, Ocean Risk Alliance has published a practitioner's guide:

https://oceanriskalliance.org/resource/launching-the-high-quality-blue-carbon-practitioners-guide/

How the Programme addresses the Decade Challenges, in line with the Barcelona Statement and the Vision 2030 process How it plans to collaborate with endorsed Decade Programmes How the science and knowledge generated will support decision-making and contribute to sustainable development

Programmes that enhance scientific cooperation in the Southern Oceans are welcomed within UN Decade Endorsements.