The Mural Project visits the coral farms of Cozumel

An artist and a reef biologist meet over the nursery tables — art and science looking at the same problem from two directions.

On Thursday the twenty-fourth of August our coral farms received a special guest. Frase Honguikuri, art coordinator at Restore Coral, visited the facilities in Cozumel. Frase has done remarkable work with the Restore Coral Mural Project, using his talent to raise public awareness of the need to protect coral reefs.

Frase has built an artistic career committed to social causes, taking part in projects for violence prevention in marginalised neighbourhoods, and in other efforts to reclaim public space through urban art and graffiti.

As he explains himself, his work seeks to represent Mexican culture, drawing influence from original cultures including the Wixárika, Maya, Otomí and Aztec.

On 24 August, Frase met Dr Germán Méndez del Castillo, chief biologist at Restore Coral and director of the Cozumel Coral Reef Project, along with Carlo Sánchez, diver's officer at Restore Coral. Together they visited the coral farms on the island and shared what each of them had learned.

The coral farm project works towards restoring the reef. The sustainability model we are developing encourages volunteers, tourists and students to take part in collecting coral fragments, alongside certified divers.

This meeting between people passionate about protecting marine ecosystems is one more sign of our commitment. As long as science, art and technology keep cooperating, coral reefs have hope.