The team
The “Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Protection” project is an interdisciplinary initiative funded by the European Commission. It is led by Reef Conservation, a Mauritian NGO dedicated to the conservation and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems, in partnership with the World Maritime University and Södertörn University in Sweden.
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Reef Conservation (Mauritius) is the local implementing partner, leading coordination, field operations, community engagement, and applied research. With a long track record in coastal and marine ecosystem conservation, environmental education, and work with coastal and fishing communities, the organisation applies a ridge-to-reef approach that integrates land and marine systems. Its programmes span training, awareness, monitoring, conservation, restoration and community-based management.
Reef Conservation
Reef Conservation – Seagrass Team (Mauritius)
The Reef Conservation seagrass team leads the local implementation of the Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Protection project in Mauritius. The team coordinates field operations, restoration activities, ecological monitoring, and community engagement.
Combining scientific research with hands-on conservation practice, the team works closely with coastal communities, students, and international research partners to support the protection and recovery of seagrass meadows. Through applied research, training, and capacity building, the team contributes to strengthening long-term coastal resilience in Mauritius.
International Science Partners
Professor Johan Hollander – World Maritime University (Sweden)
Professor Johan Hollander is a marine biologist at the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden. His work combines ocean governance, marine policy, and ecological research, with a strong focus on seagrass ecology, blue carbon, and ecosystem-based coastal restoration. As co-PI with Reef Conservation in Mauritius, and through several other projects in the Western Indian Ocean and Sweden, he contributes to advancing evidence-based strategies for marine management and climate resilience.
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You can find out more about his research here:
Professor Martin Gullström – Södertörn University (Sweden)
Professor Martin Gullström is a marine ecologist at Södertörn University, Sweden, with expertise in seascape ecology, blue carbon, seagrass ecology, and food-web dynamics. His research links ecological processes to conservation, resource management, and spatial planning in coastal environments. With more than twenty years of experience in the Western Indian Ocean, he has played a central role in Sida-funded bilateral programmes with Tanzania and Mozambique, advancing research, education, and conservation in the region. He is widely recognised for his contributions to understanding carbon sequestration in seagrass meadows and their role in climate change mitigation.
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You can find out more about his research here:
Why this Team Structure Matters
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Local leadership & legitimacy: With Reef Conservation anchoring the project in Mauritius, the work is rooted in local contexts, relationships, and stakeholder networks.
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Global scientific excellence: Partnering with Swedish institutions ensures access to cutting-edge methods, capacity building, and international standards.
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Integration across scales: This combination allows the project to bridge from laboratory work (eDNA, genetics, carbon analyses) to policy influence and community impact.