Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program

Dr. German Mendez founded the Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program in 2017 to conserve and restore Cozumel’s coral species affected by unsustainable development, overtourism, and climate change. ​ We grow and restore damaged corals in our aquarium and coral garden, then plant them in the Villablanca Reef. To date, we’ve built 29 coral restoration platforms and planted over 10,000+ coral fragments! ​ We research coral reproduction, diseases, and water contamination, and offer educational programs to tourists and Cozumeleños, empowering them to help protect and regenerate their coral reefs.