Restoration

Coral reefs, oyster beds and coastal habitats are under sustained pressure from climate change, development and historic overexploitation. These ecosystems support biodiversity, fisheries and coastal protection, yet many are now struggling to recover naturally.

Across the world, restoration programmes are scaling up in response. From coral reef restoration and artificial reef deployment to native oyster recovery and habitat regeneration, there is a growing need for solutions that can help ecosystems rebuild in a stable and lasting way.

Artificial reefs are playing an increasingly important role, providing structure where it has been lost and creating new space for marine life to settle, grow and return. With the right design and materials, they can support biodiversity recovery while forming the foundation for long-term ecosystem regeneration.

Planning a reef restoration project?

Reef cubes® are purpose-built artificial reef units designed to support reef restoration across a wide range of marine environments. Developed using Nature-Inclusive Design, they provide stable, textured structure that encourages marine life to settle, grow and establish over time.

Used in coral reef restoration, oyster recovery and wider habitat regeneration projects, Reef cubes® create the physical foundation needed for ecosystems to rebuild. Their varied surface textures support natural settlement, while internal spaces provide shelter for fish, crustaceans and other marine species.

From supporting coral transplant programmes and artificial reef creation to enabling native oyster, kelp and seagrass restoration, Reef cubes® help accelerate habitat formation and biodiversity recovery. Designed for long-term deployment, they transition from engineered structures into living reefs as marine communities develop and mature.

Reef cubes® are increasingly being used as a substrate for coral reef restoration, supporting both coral transplant programmes and natural recruitment. Their textured surfaces and structural complexity create ideal conditions for early colonisation, helping corals establish and grow in degraded reef environments.

Research in collaboration with Professor Michael Sweet and the University of Derby has shown strong settlement of crustose coralline algae (CCA) on Reef cubes®, a critical precursor for coral larvae attachment. Observations have also shown corals spawning and settling directly onto the structures, highlighting their potential to support long-term reef formation.

This makes Reef cubes® a valuable tool for coral nurseries, artificial coral reef projects and community-led restoration initiatives, providing a stable, long-term foundation for reef recovery.