Coral reefs form the basis of life for countries like the Maldives: Tourism, fisheries and building materials are important sources of income. However, the coral reefs have been suffering for years from natural phenomena, e.g. Coral bleaching due to too warm seawater (caused by El Ninos), but also by human influences e.g. by increased sedimentation and destruction of whole reefs by construction activities, pollution by waste water or overfishing.

Since a few years, several initiatives have been taking place in the Maldives to protect the coral reefs. These include various resettlement projects. Unfortunately, these often fail due to insufficient knowledge of housing condition, handling and asexual multiplication of corals. The Team of the Aquarium of the German Oceanographic Museum is engaged in the training of local people, who are directly involved with coral reefs, e.g. as dive base staff. In autumn 2015, on three different islands a four-day workshop with theories and practical exercises, rearing stations and building and planting of artificial reefs was carried out. The growth is documented for one year, and is maintained by the German Oceanographic Museum in Germany. A further trip is planned in autumn 2016. This project is financed by the Conservation found of the European Union of Aquarium Curators (EUAC), Best Dives Maldives as well as the German Oceanographic Museum.