Giorgia Maggioni: The Coral Restorer of the Maldives

His passion for marine protection began at school, at the scientific high school in Merate, in the province of Lecco. And today Giorgia Maggioni, thirty years old, It is known throughout the world of the Maldives, but not only, for its tireless activity as a coral restorer.

After graduating, Giorgia completed a degree in Marine Sciences at Milan's Bicocca University, and since 2019 has lived between the Maldives and Italy.

The heart of its activity is precisely in the archipelago of islands considered among the most beautiful, but also among the most fragile, in the world. Where the ecosystem's balance is at risk both due to the climate crisis and the effects of tourist pressure, two factors that also have a significant impact on the decline of coral reefs.

So Giorgia, in collaboration with some resorts and environmental associations working in the Maldives area, takes care of the coral restoration in those islands, and at the same time organizes educational activities, for the respect of the environment, for tourists and students; and is even committed to recycling fish nets which are transformed into original bracelets, then put on sale to finance coral conservation activities.

The restoration of the corals is carried out with a very effective technique: Giorgia, during her dives, recovers still living coral fragments — for example fallen due to unfortunate human actions or natural events — and fixes them in the water on metal structures or “coral frames-spiders", so that they can grow back.

Giorgia Maggioni says: The most beautiful and exciting part of my job is when the corals, once restored, begin to grow. Warming waters have led to coral reef bleaching, and when you restore it, you essentially allow it to return to its original condition. And it's incredible to witness this rebirth up close, and follow it step by step.

Cover photo from https://www.merateonline.it

Read also:

• Corals at risk: half will disappear by 2035
• Why corals bleach
• What are coral reefs for?