Fi Wi Riif (Our Reef)

Countries involved:  Colombia

Coral Collective Partner:  GFCR

The Fi Wi Riif Programme aims to protect and recover the health of resilient coral reef sites in Colombia’s Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, representing over 232,000 hectares of protect reefs under improved ecological management.  The program aims to improve the livelihoods and the coastal protection of reef-dependent communities severely impacted by the category 5 Hurricane Iota that hit the islands in 2020, and research innovative approaches to reefs health and restoration technologies. This involves engaging with the public and private sectors to establish a local governance and financial sustainability strategy and to create enabling legislative conditions. The programme will also engage with the islands' economy by supporting local enterprises and the creation of alternative livelihoods, supporting terrestrial and coastal for-profit initiatives that reduce the negative impact of the islands on the reefs. Additionally, the programme will support active coral reef management, reinforce the function and financial sustainability of MPAs, improve fisheries sustainability, recover herbivorous populations, remove and use excess algae and seagrasses, and restore corals.