Looking back and ahead: Reflections on a year of achievements and what's next for the IMARCS Foundation
As the IMARCS Foundation continues its groundbreaking efforts in marine conservation, 2024 proved to be a pivotal year filled with accomplishments and set the stage for ambitious goals in 2025. Below is a closer look at how IMARCS is undertaking novel research, developing partnerships, and initiating strategic initiatives to advance reef restoration and giant clam conservation, laying the foundation for transformative marine science.
Image Credits: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/giant-clam
Achievements in 2024: A Year of Progress
Elevated publishing efforts
One of the most notable achievements in 2024 was the shift towards focused, impactful content that centered primarily on the ecology of giant clams and reef restoration work. Since beginning to concentrate exclusively on giant clams and reef restoration, IMARCS published 17 insightful, science-based blog posts and several guest articles on renowned platforms such as reefs.com, Eco-Business, and Stanford University's blog.
Key articles in 2024:
- "Why blue carbon is more valuable than other nature-based climate solutions"
- "What exactly is the novel carbon sequestration approach being pioneered by IMARCS?"
- "Where should giant clam re-introduction take place?"
- "Why giant clams are crucial in maintaining healthy reefs - and regulating climate"
- "The importance of pH for dissolved CO2 uptake - why this matters for giant clams"
- "Becoming endangered: Is it good that giant clams are being considered for inclusion as an endangered species?" (and the related "The IMARCS Foundation's official comment on the proposed rule to include giant clams on the endangered species list")
- "Giant clams in Nha Trang Bay: A look into the IMARCS Foundation's research on reef restoration"
Additional articles published on reefs.com and Eco-Business, as well as university platforms - including Harvard TagTeam, USC Scalar, Stanford, and Oregon State University - further cemented IMARCS Foundation's position as a thought leader in marine science. Although no major journal publications were submitted in 2024, the first major paper is anticipated to be published in 2025 on our work with reef restoration in the Indo-Pacific.
Image Credits: https://onbird.vn/dont-consume-snail-giant-clam-in-island-hopping-and-snorkeling-tours/
Strengthened partnerships
New partnerships were pivotal in 2024, with several strategic collaborations forged to amplify research efforts. These included:
University of Barcelona (UB) - this was the most important partnership to date and its ongoing activities brings together a team of experts, including genome specialists and microbiome biodiversity researchers. This collaboration promises to yield high-impact publications, with a focus on determining if giant clams can effectively sequester carbon, if they can contribute to holistic restoration of degraded reefs, and if using giant clam zooxanthellae can help to restore bleached corals.
Kosrae Clam Farm - despite logistical challenges, this became our biggest partnership to facilitate the sourcing of clams for research, especially for assessing the potential of transferring symbiotic zooxanthellae for restoration purposes.
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) - although not yet a full member, IMARCS is in the process of securing a position on ICRI’s Reef Restoration Ad-Hoc Committee. This is a promising step toward full membership and increased visibility in reef restoration efforts.
Nha Trang University - our research focus in Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam has led to a collaboration with the local university, which is helping to support our biodiversity restoration efforts and enhance the IMARCS Foundation's global footprint.
These partnerships not only bolstered research capabilities but also laid the groundwork for future alliances with organizations like the Living Oceans Foundation (LOF) and Saudi Arabia's NEOM initiative, both of which we began initial talks with in 2024.
Research Advancements
The IMARCS Foundation made significant progress in 2024 designing and planning three key research projects:
- Zooxanthellae enhancement for coral restoration - this aims to use giant clam zooxanthellae to mitigate coral bleaching.
- Biodiversity enhancement in Nha Trang Bay - this focuses on restoring reef biodiversity through the reintroduction of giant clams in a select area of Vietnam.
- Carbon sequestration assessment - this explores the potential of elevated pH tanks to enhance carbon storage in giant clam shells.
By the end of 2024, detailed work plans and bibliographies were completed for all three projects, with research expected to progress rapidly in 2025.
Goals for 2025: Paving the Way Forward
Building on our 2024 achievements, the IMARCS Foundation has set ambitious priorities for 2025. These include:
Publishing papers in major journals
The publication of our first paper in a top-tier journal will mark a significant milestone, enhancing our scientific reach and paving the way for future collaborations.
Expanding partnerships
We aim to solidify alliances with organizations like ICRI, LOF, and NEOM, as well as potential partnerships with industrial organizations such as SMPC.
Advance research projects
Our three main research projects - zooxanthellae restoration, reef restoration in Vietnam, and carbon sequestration in elevated pH tanks - are slated to be completed in 2025, with results ready for publication late in the year or early in 2026.
Leverage public engagement
By publishing on platforms like Eco-Business and Reefs.com, IMARCS plans to share progress, attract partnerships, and inspire global action.
Publishing papers in major journals
The publication of our first paper in a top-tier journal will mark a significant milestone, enhancing our scientific reach and paving the way for future collaborations.
Expanding partnerships
We aim to solidify alliances with organizations like ICRI, LOF, and NEOM, as well as potential partnerships with industrial organizations such as SMPC.
Advance research projects
Our three main research projects - zooxanthellae restoration, reef restoration in Vietnam, and carbon sequestration in elevated pH tanks - are slated to be completed in 2025, with results ready for publication late in the year or early in 2026.
Leverage public engagement
By publishing on platforms like Eco-Business and Reefs.com, IMARCS plans to share progress, attract partnerships, and inspire global action.
A Vision Beyond 2025
Looking ahead, the IMARCS Foundation is committed to scaling impact through innovative research and strategic collaborations. We aim to further position the Foundation as a leader in marine conservation, demonstrating how good science and effective partnerships can drive meaningful change. With the accomplishments of 2024 serving as a springboard, 2025 promises to be a transformative year for IMARCS and the broader scientific community.
From all of us at the IMARCS Foundation, thank you for your support as we move forward with our reef restoration and giant clam conservation efforts.
If you would like to get in touch with us please send us an email at relationships@imarcs.org
From all of us at the IMARCS Foundation, thank you for your support as we move forward with our reef restoration and giant clam conservation efforts.
If you would like to get in touch with us please send us an email at relationships@imarcs.org
References
Li, R., & Neo, M. L. (2024). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Tridacna gigas. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Published online May 23, 2024. Accessed October 29, 2024. https://www.iucnredlist.org/en
Watson, S.-A., & Neo, M. L. (2021, December 13). Our iconic giant clams face new threats from warmer waters and acidic oceans – let’s buy them time. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/our-iconic-giant-clams-face-new-threats-from-warmer-waters-and-acidic-oceans-lets-buy-them-time-172607
Yazgin, E. (2024). Giant clam officially declared critically endangered. Cosmos Magazine. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/marine-life/giant-clam-critically-endangered/
Li, R., & Neo, M. L. (2024). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Tridacna gigas. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Published online May 23, 2024. Accessed October 29, 2024. https://www.iucnredlist.org/en
Watson, S.-A., & Neo, M. L. (2021, December 13). Our iconic giant clams face new threats from warmer waters and acidic oceans – let’s buy them time. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/our-iconic-giant-clams-face-new-threats-from-warmer-waters-and-acidic-oceans-lets-buy-them-time-172607
Yazgin, E. (2024). Giant clam officially declared critically endangered. Cosmos Magazine. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/marine-life/giant-clam-critically-endangered/