The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC), and Great Barrier Reef Foundation have announced a project to revive the Great Barrier Reef’s seagrass meadows.

Following the devastation caused by Cyclone Jasper in December 2023, vast areas of seagrass in Kurrimine and Cowley Beach on the Cassowary Coast were left barren. With extreme weather events increasing in frequency due to climate change, natural recovery is no longer guaranteed.

Without intervention, these meadows – lifelines for endangered dugongs and green turtles – may never return.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden said: “Thanks to the support from The Coca-Cola Foundation, this is the first time a seagrass restoration project of this kind has been attempted in tropical Australia at scale.

“This is more than just habitat restoration – it’s a lifeline for the Reef’s marine species that rely on this critical ecosystem and the communities who have cared for them for generations.

“Seagrass meadows are underwater powerhouses, improving water quality and protecting coastlines from storm surges, all while capturing carbon to help combat climate change. Ultimately, healthy reefs are reliant on healthy seagrass.”

The $799,000 commitment from The Coca-Cola Foundation to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation will enable the three-year partnership project to replant and nurture seagrass across a 1500 hectare meadow.

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation will partner with James Cook University TropWATER researchers, Mandubarra and Goondoi Rangers as well as local community groups to restore this critical habitat.

The project will focus on restoring the narrow-leaf seagrass, a key species in the Great Barrier Reef and tropical Australia. Specially designed seagrass nurseries will grow planting stock from seagrass flowers collected in the area, with the plants and seeds used to restore seagrass meadows near Kurrimine Beach and Cowley Beach, closely linked to King Reef.

Mandubarra Aboriginal Land and Sea Inc Seagrass Project Officer Jayden Crump said: “The health of seagrass is deeply connected to our key cultural indicator species – the turtles and dugongs – and it reflects the health of the surrounding habitat and the health of the species that rely on it for shelter and food.

“This project gives the Mandubarra people the opportunity to deepen our understanding of data collection, strengthen our knowledge of how seagrass, turtles, and dugongs interact, and better share the significance of this relationship with our community. Being on Country and caring for Country in this way helps us sustain our environment and cultural heritage for future generations.”

The Coca-Cola Foundation’s investment is part of its Climate Resilience Strategy, which supports ecosystems impacted by coastal and climate changes worldwide. The initiative offers a blueprint for future restoration efforts on the Great Barrier Reef and in seagrass ecosystems worldwide.

Image courtesy Tourism & Events Queensland

The Coca-Cola Foundation President Carlos Pagoaga said: “It’s a privilege for us to partner with Indigenous groups and local government to scale seagrass restoration on the Reef.

“The Great Barrier Reef is one of our world’s most critical ecosystems, a crucial component of the region’s marine health, and a vital part of Australia’s natural heritage. Seagrass meadows are intrinsically connected to the Reef, and through this project, we aim to help sustain the health and resilience of this entire ecosystem for the future.”

Main image: James Cook University.