Restoring marine ecosystems to conserve the value of our ocean
Promoting the ecological restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems globally
Marine ecosystems are under pressure globally resulting in dramatic losses in structure, function and biodiversity. Factors driving these losses include climate change effects, such as ocean warming, and acidification, as well as anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species, overfishing and destructive fishing practices.
These losses decrease the quantity and quality of the delivery of associated services these ecosystems provide including coastal protection, fisheries productivity, carbon storage, tourism opportunities, and a long list of invaluable cultural values. Coral reef and associated ecosystem services are valued in trillions of USD per year, and their loss represents a real danger for our wellbeing.
Large scale solutions include climate action, fisheries management, and pollution control but reversing declines also call for restoration efforts at local scales. Following concepts developed for terrestrial systems, coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses can be replanted to re-establish resilient, functioning, self-sustainable ecosystems.
With global expertise and partnerships, our mission is to facilitate the design, implementation, monitoring, and communication of marine ecosystem restoration projects around the world.
Why restore reefs?
About Us
We are an international scientific consulting agency that focuses on social and ecological aspects of marine ecosystem restoration. Through our partnerships with expert organizations around the world, our work aims to:
INFORM scientific research for the restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems;
SYNTHESIZE latest research to assist the development of management and policy guidelines ;
ASSIST managers and practitioners in the design, implementation, and monitoring their restoration projects;
Margaux Hein, PhD
Dr. Margaux is a marine biologist, Founder and Lead Consultant of MER Research and Consulting. Originally from the Principality of Monaco, she obtained a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science at the University of Queensland and her Masters and Doctorate at James Cook University in Australia. Her expertise and passion revolve around coral reefs and finding ways to protect and conserve them in the face of rising environmental and climatic challenges. Her research focuses on improving the effectiveness of coral reef restoration efforts across socio-economic and ecological scales.
With projects around the world since 2012, she is currently acting as an official consultant with the International Coral Reef Initiative, the Reef Resilience Network, SHAMS, and Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco.
Projects
UN Environmental Programme
Official consultant for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) with the mission to lead and write a UNEP report on global best-practices for coral restoration.
The Reef Resilience Network
Working with our partners at the Reef Resilience Network building online course material, and helping develop and implement a Manager’s Guide for coral reef restoration planning and design.
Best Practice Coral Restoration for the Great Barrier Reef
Co-investigator on the Australian project “Best Practice Coral Restoration for the Great Barrier Reef” funded by the National Environmental Science Program (NESP), in collaboration between James Cook University and Reef Ecologic.
The Global Fund for Coral Reefs
As part of our mission with UNEP, we are consulting with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs to develop the Fund’s Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy.
International Coral Reef Initiative
Ad-hoc committee member for the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) on reef restoration. We also serve as consultants on a range of projects associated with coral reef restoration, specifically for ICRI. Visit ICRI’s Reef Restoration Hub here.
Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program
MER worked directly with the RRAP Program director to assist with global collaborations and the dissemination of cutting-edge research.
Latest NEWS
Coral Reef Breakthrough Video
Check the button below to view the Coral Reef Breakthrough Video released during the UNDP online Nature for Life Hub event
French Polynesia Workshops
Dr Margaux Hein assisted The Reef Resilience Network and The Nature Conservancy California in running two coral reef restoration workshops for The Coral Gardeners in Moorea, Tahiti. The aim of the workshops were 1. Prioritize sites for future outplanting of land-based reared corals, and 2. Validate the site selection process with key members of the local community.
Coral Reef Breakthrough
MER is very proud to have chaired a working group of 30+ global scientists and experts to develop the Coral Reef Breakthrough. The Breakthrough aims to translate global ecosystem targets specifically for coral reefs and calls for securing the future of at least 125,000 km2 of shallow-water tropical coral reefs with investments of at least US$12 billion to support the resilience of more than half a billion people globally by 2030.
The. breakthrough is a partnership between The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and the High-Level Climate Champions (HLCC).
The Breakthrough was launched through the ICRI 37th General Meeting and developed with support from the Government of Sweden and the Principality of Monaco
New Course on RBM
As part of continued partnership with The Reef Resilience Network, Dr Margaux Hein helped develop a new course on Resilience-Based Management. The course ran as a mentored version for 710 participants from over 100 countries and territories over the course of 5 weeks in July 2023. All lessons are now available for free in English, French, Bahasa Indonesia, and Spanish.
Coral Restoration and 30x30
A new white paper led by Dr Margaux Hein and TNC’s Dr Elizabeth McLeod highlights the role of coral reef restoration in the context of the global 30x30 ocean conservation targets. The paper was presented at the Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 in December 2022.
Coral Reef Restoration Mentored Course
Dr Margaux Hein and Dr Elizabeth Shaver recently led a 6-weeks long coral reef restoration online mentored course via the Reef Resilience Network. The course covered 7 lessons on dedicated coral restoration topics, had over 450 participants from 85 countries and territories, and involved 13 global coral restoration experts as mentors. All lessons are now available online for free as part of self-paced course.
Coral reef Restoration Guide for the tourism sector
The Nature Conservancy, in collaboration with MER, the UN Environment Programme, and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, just released a set of coral reef restoration guidelines specifically designed for the tourism industry
New Report on Funding for Coral Reef Restoration
MER and ICRI just released a new report drawing a global funding landscape for coral reef restoration along with recommendation to guide future funding as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
New Online Course on Coral Reef Resilience
MER is proud to have contributed to the Reef Resilience Network’s latest online course on Coral Reef Resilience! The course is designed to provide marine managers and practitioners with the necessary background to support coral reef resilience in the face of climate change. The free online course is accessible to participants around the world
Keynote Address for ICRI Coral Restoration Virtual Event
In June 2021, the International Coral Reef Initiative launched a special virtual event dedicated to coral reef restoration. Dr Margaux Hein was invited to give a special keynote address as part of the welcoming remarks.
Podcast episode for REEF Roundup
REEF Roundup is a podcast focused on sharing experiences to save the oceans for future generation. Listen to the episode where Dr Margaux Hein speaks with Graham and Tamara about her work with MER!
Available on Spotify or Apple Podcast.
Guest Lectures at Villanova University
Dr Margaux Hein was recently invited to give two guest lectures at Villanova University (Department of Geography and the Environment) as part of Dr Chase’s excellent lecture series in his “Oceans in the Anthropocene” class
MER at the Monaco Ocean Week
Dr Margaux Hein had the privilege to give a short presentation on coral reef restoration during ICRI’s Time to Act for Coral Reefs event as part of the Monaco Ocean Week
Publication highlighted on ICRI’s website
MER’s publication in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science is highlighted on the website of the International Coral Reef Iniative
MER Featured in Discover Magazine
Special piece on how volunteers are helping keep coral reefs alive by reporter Leslie Nemo
Online seminar for Arizona State University
Dr Margaux Hein was invited to give a 1hr long presentation on coral restoration with perspectives on lessons learned and ways forward.
Webinar on coral reef restoration report
Watch a live presentation on the UNEP and ICRI coral reef restoration report. Hosted by the Reef Resilience Network and featuring Dr Margaux Hein.
UNEP story on new coral restoration report
UNEP story released for the launch of the report on coral reef restoration spearheaded by MER Research and Consulting for the UN Environment Programme.
CONTACT US
We would love to hear from you.
MER Research and Consulting
The Office_ 1 rue de la Lüjerneta
98000 Monaco (MC)
Email: margaux.hein@gmail.com
Ph: +33 607938515 (Monaco)
+1 6037759082 (USA)