Sea ventures will be awarded approximately $5 million to implement the largest single-site coral restoration project in puerto rico, near the community of fajardo

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $5,000,869 Cooperative Agreement under the Habitat Conservation Federal Grant Program (CFDA 11.463) to Sea Ventures Inc., a small disadvantaged, veteran-owned business in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The grant will fund the largest single-site coral restoration project in Puerto Rico, focused on propagating threatened elkhorn coral and developing a coral gene bank to preserve genetic material. The project will also include K-12 educational opportunities, undergraduate and graduate coral restoration internships, and support for a coral restoration technician apprenticeship program. The award has an initial period of performance from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2028.

In addition to coral propagationfocused primarily on threatened elkhorn coralthe project will develop a coral gene bank to provide for rescue of genetic material. Collaboration with local partners will generate k-12 education opportunities, undergraduate and graduate coral restoration internships, and support for the coral restoration technician apprenticeship program.