Mars: Restoring Asia's Coral Reefs for Marine Conservation

Mars Sustainable Solutions has led one of the largest single coral restoration efforts to date in the Spermonde Archipelago, Sulawesi. 

The project, known as 'The Big Build', saw partners from government, NGOs, business and local communities work side by side to install a 2,500m² reef and outplant 30,000 corals in the heart of the Coral Triangle, a nature-rich area of tropical waters in Southeast Asia.

The initiative forms part of Mars Sustainable Solutions’ long-running programme to reverse reef degradation and sits alongside SHEBA Hope Grows, which aims to restore more than 185,000 square metres of coral reefs by 2029.

A landmark build in the Coral Triangle

Located within the most biodiverse marine region on Earth, the Spermonde Archipelago is both an ecological priority and a livelihood lifeline for coastal communities. 

The Big Build brought together participants from 17 conservation and science partners to accelerate restoration where damage and rubble fields had impeded natural recovery. 

By focusing effort on a concentrated area, the team created an immediate habitat framework that supports fish, invertebrates and future coral settlement while offering coastal protection benefits.

“14 years ago, I asked a small team of Mars associates a simple question if it would be possible to rebuild a coral reef ecosystem,” says Frank Mars, Board Member and Former Board Chair of Mars.

“And today, I’m proud to say that the answer is yes, both technically and scientifically. 

“As we build on two decades of dedication to coral restoration through Mars Sustainable Solutions, it's thrilling to witness the cross-sector, community-centred collaboration shown in ‘The Big Build,’ demonstrating that it is possible to deliver resilient coral restoration at a large scale. 

“The world we want tomorrow is not going to materialise on its own. 

“The success of SHEBA Hope Reef demonstrates that we can change the course of coral reefs if we collectively change how we live, work and play together today.”  

Engineering a faster, cheaper method

Central to the effort is the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System. 

Teams deploy hexagonal, sand-coated steel “Reef Stars” pre-fitted with coral fragments, linking them into stable webs across barren rubble. 

The modular design allows small dive teams to cover large areas quickly, experienced groups of four can install around 500 Reef Stars in two days, cutting costs and shortening the time to ecological function. 

 “Through ‘The Big Build,’ we will harness the power of cross-sector partnerships to restore critically endangered coral reefs at the centre of marine biodiversity within Indonesia,” says Professor David Smith, Senior Director Mars Sustainable Solutions and Chief Marine Scientist at Mars.

“Our collaborative efforts will spread a message of hope and optimism to the global community.

“We aim to reveal the need for building trusted partnerships, locally and across the globe, to deliver large-scale restoration at the scale that is needed to preserve these invaluable ecosystems and thereby secure a brighter future for our oceans.” 

Over time, corals overgrow the structures, which become fully integrated into the reef matrix.

Building capacity for long-term impact

The Big Build doubled as a training ground for national partners, expanding Indonesia’s capacity to deliver restoration at scale. 

Participants learned site selection, fabrication, installation and monitoring, enabling them to replicate the method across the archipelago. 

This community-centred approach embeds skills locally, supports livelihoods linked to healthy reefs and ensures maintenance and adaptive management continue well beyond the initial installation.

“As a brand, we have a wide-reaching global platform and we recognise it’s our responsibility to use that platform to help fuel positive change,” says Mindy Barry, Global Vice President of Marketing, SHEBA brand. 

“The release of ‘Reef Builders’ is a powerful new chapter in our larger mission behind the Sheba Hope Grows program. 

“Through the documentary, we want to inspire and educate people on coral’s plight and its importance to our everyday lives.”

From pilot to global programme

What began in 2006 off Makassar has grown into one of the world’s largest coral restoration programmes, now spanning more than 30 reefs across 10 countries and five continents. 

To date, tens of thousands of Reef Stars have been installed with hundreds of thousands of coral fragments outplanted, with reported gains in coral cover and fish abundance at key sites. 

“I am so proud to be part of The Big Build because there are so many people and partners from outside Bontosua, from across Makassar and Indonesia, that come to the Island and help the local Bontosuan Community with coral restoration,” says Farhan, Member of the Local Bontosuan Community Restoration Team.

“We are now one of the only Islands in the Pangkep region which has received this level of Indonesia-wide recognition and engagement. 

“The Big Build and coral reef restoration is so important to our Island as healthy coral reefs provide critical coastal protection and support the livelihoods and food supply for the Island.” 

Through SHEBA Hope Grows and a widening network of partners, Mars Sustainable Solutions is translating a proven methodology into a global, scalable response to reef decline.