After the success of the first Sculptural Coral Gene Bank, Counting Coral has announced their partnership with Vomo Island - who will be receiving a large Coral Gene Bank of their own.

Watch our marine biologist Gaia Hinds, free-dive a piece of coral down to secure it to the Gene Bank.

After weeks of installing, the sculptures are ready for coral. Watch the team harvest and attach corals onto the Gene Bank.

The Sculptural Coral Gene Bank started as a simple sketch before evolving into metal components that were welded together, all of which was carried out in Los Angeles, California.

The sculptural fish houses were welded together at Vomo Island, then dropped into the water to become integral parts of the Sculptural Coral Gene Bank.

This marks the culmination of the underwater construction process - underwater drills, float bags, safety divers, and considerable determination. After three weeks of installation, the sculpture is now prepared to support coral.

The massive sculptures are being lowered into the water, unclipped and repositioned—it’s all unfolding. It’s sheer madness!

A massive storm struck Vomo, yet the work didn't stop. Watch as the team perseveres in planting coral, braving the fury of Mother Nature.

Components are continuously being added and secured together. Curious about what this structure looks like without any coral on it? Want to see it float?

The final planting! The Gene Bank is complete, filled with corals that are now 'parent corals' for the future of out-planting and restoration at Vomo.

Counting Coral's coral reef restoration program has created the world's first sculptural coral gene bank system. Our mission intersects science, art, and community. These efforts can build back critical coral reef mass, raise awareness, and generate ecosystem services to the primary community. To continue these reef restoration initiatives we need your support. Click the link in the bio to see the ways in which you can be involved.

Counting Coral made it to Fiji this summer to install the world's first sculptural coral bank, and to initiate a global effort in reef restoration. We are deeply grateful for your support, energy, and donations.

Henley is half British and half French, he is a renowned photographer who has fast become one of the most highly decorated underwater shooters in the world. Starting his professional career in diving as an instructor, he later fell in love with underwater imagery and made the transition to full-time photographer A prolific series of award winning images has followed in multiple prestigious competitions, including the Underwater Photographer of the Year, Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year, and the Sony World Photography Awards. In this chats series The founder of Counting Coral talks with Henley about how he got started, how he found his connection with underwater photography, how he capture such amazing shots and what life is like as a pro photographer. Visit Henleys site: https://www.henleyspiers.com/ Visit Counting Coral: https://www.countingcoral.com/ Donate to Counting Coral: https://www.countingcoral.com/contribute-1

Cristina Zenato Since 1994 Cristina has been an active shark behaviorist, underwater cave explorer, a champion for ocean conservation, photographer, speaker and writer. She is the founder of the nonprofit People of the Water, organized to widen the distribution of training, education, research related to our oceans and environmental issues. Help fight the shark fin soup industry: https://wildaid.org/programs/sharks/ Support Counting Coral: https://www.countingcoral.com/contribute-1