Press Release – Velaa Coral Programme Biorock
Velaa Private Island installs new state-of-the art Biorock® projects to regenerate coral reefs
December 2022, Maldives
Dr. Thomas J. Goreau and Thomas Sarkisian recently visited Velaa Private Island to spearhead the installation of new Biorock reefs – an innovative technology developed by Global Coral Reef Alliance and Blue Regeneration.
As part of Velaa’s coral reef restoration program, the initiative will have benefits for generations to come, both beneath and above the surface. Biorock® is an electrical reef regeneration technology that produces natural building materials in the sea via safe extremely low voltage currents. The slow trickle charge makes corals more resistant to stress and accelerates the growth, settlement, and survival, of all marine organisms, increasing the biodiversity of the reef as well as protecting it from future bleaching.
In addition, Biorock® reefs prevent the erosion of sand because the reef acts as a growing protective barrier from waves. The initial phase includes two structures of 4 to 5 square meters, with more to be installed in the future.
“ft feels great to be back in the Maldives to support Velaa’s commitment to a more sustainable future for the island and the marine life surrounding it. We have been working with reef restoration globally for decades and in the Maldives since 1997, and we can’t wait to see the results of the new installations around the island,” said Dr. Thomas J. Goreau.
Dr. Thomas Goreau is President of the Global Coral Reef Alliance, a non-profit organization for coral reef protection and sustainable management, Chief Scientist of Blue Regeneration, and an inventor of Biorock® reef restoration technology He has dived longer and in more coral reefs around the world than any coral scientist
“It’s an honour for us to welcome the Blue Regeneration team to our home, our reef Without the ecosystem that surrounds Velaa, we simply wouldn’t exist – as an island let alone as a resort. This fantastic technology will allow our team to transplant rare corals that can’t normally grow at this shallow depth and we are all very excited for the instalment.” Wayne Milgate, General Manager at Velaa Private Island.
Blue Regeneration will build the system, install the power supply for the Biorock® and support Velaa with training and maintenance. Founded by Dr. Goreau and Thomas Sarkisian among others, Blue Regeneration produces highly efficient, smart power systems for large scale marine ecosystem regeneration, beach regeneration, shore protection, and sustainable mariculture through Biorock® technology The Velaa project is the first in the world to use new state-of-the-art power systems developed by Blue Regeneration.
More than 700 Biorock reefs have been installed in around 45 countries across the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Pacific, and Southeast Asia. Within half a day of installation the
Velaa structures began to turn white, growing new limestone rock (the natural material grown by coral skeletons, which makes up the beach sand and the Maldivian islands.
About Velaa Private Island
Nestled within the constellation of islands that form the Noonu Atoll in Maldives, Velaa Private Island takes exclusivity to the next level with facilities and services that go beyond traditional resorts. Designed by award-winning Czech architect Petr Kolar as “an elegant fusion of Maldivian culture with contemporary luxury, intimate with Maldivian nuances”.
Velaa Private Island is the realization of a dream to create a ‘beyond luxury’ exclusive boutique hideaway in the Maldives. Velaa means “Turtle” in the local language – named after generations of sea turtles that flock there to nest and hatch. From a broader “bird’s eye view” which greets arrivals by seaplane, the island’s exclusive over-water villas are also constructed to resemble the head of a turtle, with the island forming the body.
The resort comprises 47 private villas, houses and exclusive residences. While 18 of the 47 are built over water, the Romantic Pool Residence can only be reached by boat, allowing even more privacy and exclusivity.
Issued by Sales & Marketing department of Velaa Private Island. For Media/PR inquiries, please contact
Lisa Jakobsson
Director of PR, Marketing and Events, Velaa Private Island Tel (960) 730 3701
Email lisa jakobsson@velaaisland com
Location of Birock® projects
Velaa Biorock® reefs a few days after installation