A coral planting initiative led by an Aitutaki resort has entered its second phase, with guests playing a vital role in restoring and protecting the local marine environment.

Pacific Resort Aitutaki this week announced the successful transition of its coral planting initiative, spearheaded by staff member Joeli Vuadreu, to its second phase.

According to a Cook Islands Tourism statement, this project, which began as a passion-driven endeavour last year, has seen remarkable growth and has actively involved resort guests in meaningful environmental stewardship.

Vuadreu, a dedicated member of the Pacific Resort Aitutaki team, has been at the forefront of this initiative, tirelessly working to restore and protect the coral ecosystems surrounding the resort.

Together with a team of engineers working behind the scenes, all play a crucial role in creating the moulds where the coral fragments are carefully glued, then ensuring a stable and supportive environment for the coral to thrive.  

Since the project’s inception, Vuadreu has taken guests on a unique journey, inviting them to participate in the coral planting process.

According to Tourism, this hands-on experience has allowed visitors to directly contribute to the conservation of Aitutaki’s pristine marine environment, making their stay not only enjoyable but also impactful.

“I’m glad that each and every one of you made a vital role and a great decision to voluntarily join me in this project,” Vuadreu expressed in a recent update to guests.

On Tuesday, August 6, he successfully moved the first batch of corals to their new location, marking a significant milestone in the project.

The corals have shown exceptional growth, surpassing the usual 20 millimetre per year, “a testament to the weekly cleaning efforts led by Joeli, visitors, and volunteers from the community”.

Vuadreu said: “It’s probably how we managed to look after it and clean it every week.”

The project has seen generous donations from guests, including steel brushes, syringes for controlling the crown-of-thorns starfish, musk, wetsuits, and even cash contributions.

Vuadreu extended his heartfelt thanks to everyone involved, saying, “Thank you so much for your kind donations.”

As the project enters its second phase, Vuadreu and the team at Pacific Resort Aitutaki are optimistic about the future.

“The continued involvement of guests and the local community will be crucial as they work towards expanding the coral planting area and ensuring the long-term health of the marine environment,” the statement said.

Quarterly updates will continue to be provided to guests, keeping them informed of the project’s progress and the positive impact their contributions are making.

Pacific Resort Hotel Group chief executive officer Marcus Niszow last year said they initiated the coral planting programme as a proactive response to the need for marine conservation.

“The pristine beauty of Aitutaki’s marine environment is integral to our identity as a resort and to the livelihoods of our staff and the wider Aitutaki community,” Niszow said.

“Recognising this, we felt compelled to take action to protect and sustain this delicate ecosystem for future generations.”

• Cook Islands Tourism