At the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, SEA BEYOND—Prada Group’s sustainability initiative with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission—announced a new partnership with Coral Gardeners, a non-profit working to restore coral reefs.
The collaboration will help expand Coral Gardeners’ science-based restoration efforts in French Polynesia, Fiji, Thailand, and other regions by equipping local communities with advanced tools and technologies.
Coral Gardeners collects fragments of climate-resilient corals, grows them in nurseries for over a year, and replants them on damaged reefs. Through its CG Labs research center, the group has developed AI-powered image analysis, underwater cameras, and a coral health app to track reef conditions and guide conservation work.
Since 2017, the group has planted more than 160,000 tropical corals. With SEA BEYOND’s support, it aims to reach over 200,000 in nurseries and plant 50,000 more by the end of 2026.
The initiative also includes plans to explore a Coral Gardeners branch in the Mediterranean. Marine biologist and SEA BEYOND Goodwill Ambassador Giovanni Chimienti will lead expeditions to assess local reef conditions.
Starting in September, the partnership will launch a new global school curriculum, “Saving Coral Reefs: From Science to Storytelling,” focused on reef ecosystems, conservation practices, and the power of storytelling. The program will be available through the Ocean Literacy Portal and the Blue School Global Network.
Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, declared:
“We are delighted to support Coral Gardeners and give our contribution to the ongoing crisis facing coral ecosystems worldwide, while at the same time raising awareness of the crucial role of corals and the urgent need to protect them. We hope to help future generations understand the importance of preserving these priceless treasures of the sea.”
Titouan Bernicot, Founder of Coral Gardeners, said:
“Coral Gardeners’ mission is to revolutionize marine conservation, and we are thrilled to have the support of SEA BEYOND to help protect coral reefs through science and education. Together, we’re scaling restoration, empowering youth, and setting new standards for purposeful conservation.”
Coral reefs support about a quarter of all marine life. But with as much as 50% already lost in the past 30 years, scientists warn they could face extinction by 2050 without bold and immediate action.
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