Volunteer divers battle invasive corals threatening Brazil's marine ecosystems

Invasive sun corals have posed a growing threat to Brazil's marine biodiversity for several decades, competing aggressively with native coral species for space and resources. The vibrant orange corals, originally native to Indo-Pacific waters, have successfully colonised Brazilian coastal areas, where they damage surrounding coral colonies and disrupt delicate ecosystem balance.

Recognising the scale of the problem, Brazil launched a national plan in 2018 to monitor and control the spread of these invasive species. The initiative has since mobilised marine scientists and volunteer divers to actively remove sun corals from affected areas, prioritising ecologically significant locations.

Among those leading removal efforts is marine biologist Adriana Gomes, who coordinates volunteer divers working near the Cagarras Islands off Rio de Janeiro. The team operates on the understanding that intervention is critical to protecting native coral populations and maintaining the health of local marine environments.

The removal operations represent a long-term commitment to restoration, as the invasive corals continue to spread despite ongoing efforts. Marine conservationists warn that without sustained action, the ecological consequences for Brazil's reef systems could be severe, underscoring the importance of continued volunteer and government support for invasive species control programmes.