As the second half of the decade dawns, the IMARCS Foundation reflects on remarkable progress in marine conservation research. From launching three flagship research programs to expanding our international partnerships, the previous year marked a pivotal transition from planning to action, positioning IMARCS at the forefront of innovative, science-driven reef restoration.
From Design to Deployment
In partnership with the Kosrae Clam Farm, we began collecting coral tissue samples to test whether thermal-tolerant zooxanthellae from giant clams can accelerate recovery in bleached corals. With the 2023-2025 global bleaching event affecting 84% of the world's reefs—the largest on record—this work takes on urgent significance. Samples collected throughout 2025 are being analyzed at our University of Barcelona laboratory, with results expected to inform restoration protocols for mass-bleaching events.
Strengthening Scientific Partnerships
2025 brought significant expansion in our collaborative research network. The partnership with the University of Barcelona—encompassing genome specialists and microbiome biodiversity researchers—became our most important institutional relationship, enabling high-impact research across all three core projects. Despite logistical challenges, our collaboration with Kosrae Clam Farm proved essential for sourcing specimens and facilitating field research in Micronesia.
We also welcomed two distinguished researchers to our advisory network. Dr. Vanessa Arranz and Dr. Juan Moles, both contributing their expertise on a voluntary basis, bring invaluable perspectives on marine invertebrate ecology and molecular systematics that strengthen our research design and methodology.
Expanding Our Voice in Marine Conservation
Beyond the laboratory and field, 2025 saw IMARCS actively engage in science communication and policy discourse. We published articles on platforms including Reefs.com and Eco-Business, reaching practitioners and policymakers across the marine conservation community. Our response to the proposed "Saving NEMO Act" articulated how well-designed mariculture operations advance—rather than threaten—reef conservation goals, demonstrating that science-driven aquaculture is a conservation ally, not an adversary.
Our blog expanded significantly in 2025, exploring topics from the ecology of zooxanthellae to the interconnected roles of coral reefs, giant clams, and mangroves in coastal systems. These posts reflect our commitment to correcting misinformation in marine science while making complex research accessible to broader audiences.
From Data to Impact
The IMARCS Foundation is working towards the following over the upcoming year:
Publishing Our First Peer-Reviewed Results
We anticipate submitting our first manuscripts to top-tier journals in early 2026, with results from the Micronesia project expected to generate significant scientific interest. These publications will establish IMARCS as a credible research organization and open doors for expanded collaboration.
Expanding Organizational Scope
While giant clams and coral restoration remain central to our mission, 2026 will see IMARCS begin exploring how our research extends into connected coastal systems. The links between giant clams and coral health, between reef structure and mangrove productivity, and between these ecosystems and the communities that depend on them will inform a more holistic approach to marine conservation.
Scaling Through Strategic Alliances
We're working to formalize relationships with major conservation organizations including the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), Living Oceans Foundation, and NEOM, while exploring partnerships with industrial players like Semirara Mining and Power Corporation that could help scale our restoration work. These partnerships will help translate research findings into practical, implementable conservation strategies.
Advancing Blue Carbon Science
As data from our elevated pH experiment matures, we'll work with carbon market experts to determine whether giant clam mariculture can meet the rigorous requirements for carbon credit certification. If successful, this could unlock new funding mechanisms for reef restoration while contributing to climate mitigation.
A Year of Transformation
2025 transformed IMARCS from a promising concept into an operating 501(c) nonprofit research foundation with active field programs spanning three countries. Our core experiments are generating data that will inform reef restoration practices for years to come, while our partnerships position us to scale impact as results emerge.
The work ahead is challenging. Coral reefs face existential threats from warming oceans, and giant clam populations remain threatened across their range. But 2025 proved that innovative, science-driven interventions, especially those leveraging the unique biology of keystone species, offer genuine hope for reef resilience in a changing climate.