Atabey

Sosúa-Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Inspired by the Mother of Waters from the indigenous Arawak/Taíno culture, Atabey is much more than a submerged sculpture; it is the heart of a movement that combines art, science, and marine conservation. Placed in the waters of Sosúa, Puerto Plata, in the Dominican Republic, Atabey represents Mother Nature and also serves as a living substrate that contributes to local coral restoration efforts.

Atabey is part of the Coral Sosúa Project, which has been led and legally protected by Fundación Ecológica Maguá since 2009. This organization oversees the monitoring, management, and enforcement of marine protection in the area. Our role at Global Coralition is to contribute to these long-standing conservation efforts through the Atabey installation and the donation of coral fragments cultivated in our facilities. The planting and monitoring of these fragments are carried out by our team with the technical support and oversight of Fundación Ecológica Maguá, following their established protocols.

ANNUAL VISITORS:

5,000 – 5,500 (to the protected area)

ECO-IMPACT:

Marine protected area by Fundación Ecológica Maguá since 2009.
Around 250,000 mangroves planted in the Cabarete and Goleta Lagoon.
Around Atabey, there are currently 8 domes hosting approximately 700 coral fragments (frags), with a goal of reaching 2,500 corals.

METRICS

Fundación Ecológica Maguá has led and legally protected Sosúa Bay since 2009, carrying out marine monitoring, enforcement, and restoration activities.
Our land-based coral lab is located at ISLA Academy. It includes three tanks where we care for coral fragments after microfragmentation until they are ready to be outplanted. Once ready, the planting and monitoring of these frags in Sosúa Bay are carried out by our team with the technical support and oversight of Fundación Ecológica Maguá.
EcoSoluciones RD, our operational hub in Dominican Republic, leads and carries out mangrove restoration in Cabarete Lagoon and surrounding wetlands under an official agreement with the Ministry of Environment, engaging local communities and fishers in conservation.
We host educational workshops and guided tours around Atabey, our coral farm, and the mangrove restoration areas. Proceeds from these activities help support local marine conservation efforts, which are led by Fundación Ecológica Maguá.