Meet Andrea Rivera-Sosa, Project and Outreach Manager at the Coral Reef Alliance!
Andrea has dedicated her life to protecting the vibrant yet fragile ecosystems of coral reefs. Her early curiosities about the natural world evolved into a lifelong passion. Today, she leverages her extensive experience to lead global initiatives in coral conservation, blending innovative science, strategic partnerships, and outreach. Read more about Andrea below.
Q&A
What inspired you to pursue a career in marine science, particularly focusing on coral reefs?
From a young age, I was intrigued by the ocean. I grew up landlocked in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and was exposed to the natural environment, living in a rural mountainous area with nearby rivers. My father, a geologist, made sure I respected all living creatures and sparked my passion for the environment.
When I turned 13, my family moved to New Jersey, a stark difference between the rainforest and the undeveloped country I grew up in, but I quickly adapted to a new life. It was in high school that I was able to make a strong connection with the ocean. I took all the science classes available, and marine biology was love at first sight. I volunteered at a local aquarium, worked in a pet shop, and decided to follow my dream of going to college.
I studied marine science abroad at the University of Virgin Islands and completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. It was here I discovered my love for coral reefs and knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life learning and protecting these fragile ecosystems. I was particularly drawn by the diversity of organisms, the colors, the intricate symbiotic relationships between the coral and zooxanthellae, and its dimensions seen from space. This led me to pursue a doctorate in Marine science with a specialty in coral reef ecology.
How long have you been with CORAL and what’s your role on the team?
I have been formally working with CORAL since 2021 but have been involved with CORAL as a volunteer and part of a CORAL Leadership network since 2010.
In 2021, I joined CORAL to work as a Project and Outreach Manager in the Conservation Science Program to support the Allen Coral Atlas bleaching detection system by connecting collaborators across the globe to monitor coral bleaching events. Currently, my role is dedicated to advancing coral reef conservation through innovative project management, impactful outreach, and hands-on fieldwork.
My work involves leading complex initiatives, and building strategic partnerships with regional and global networks to foster collaborations with NGOs, academic institutions, and government agencies. I develop and deliver online, in-person, and in-water training programs, lead coral reef health monitoring efforts in the Mesoamerican region, and ensure accurate data collection to drive evidence-based conservation strategies. With a focus on timely project delivery, effective communication, and financial stewardship, my role combines scientific expertise and organizational leadership to protect coral ecosystems in the face of climate change.
Talk a little bit about where you live and how that helps fuel your passion for the ocean.
I live in Buenavista a small Mayan town in the Bacalar Lagoon, known for its seven colors of blue green, and turquoise waters in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Although I miss living in Honduras dearly, I have found peace and tranquility living in the jungle. I live about an hour away from the ocean, which allows me to enjoy both of my favorite places.
In my spare time, you will find me organizing spay and neuter clinics, recycling activities, sailing, and enjoying in-water activities in the lagoon. I also have a cool project and was able to co-create an eco houseboat on the lagoon, where I´m able to completely immerse myself in relaxing sounds and views of the lagoon.
Can you share a memorable moment from your fieldwork that highlighted the importance of coral reef conservation?
I love coral reefs and everything that involves their conservation. I have been monitoring reefs officially in the Mesoamerican Region since 2013. I was trained with the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) by Healthy Reefs for Healthy People (HRHP) and CORAL in Tela Bay, Honduras, a unique location that then became my site for the doctoral thesis. In the past 12 years, I have participated in almost all monitoring campaigns in the region and have been trained to further continue training surveyors.
With this said, my most memorable moment is happening now! After all the great experience of being able to support the data collection that feeds into the Mesoamerican Report Cards, I will be able to have a higher reach into the whole Caribbean. I just recently became part of the Data Task Force of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), an operational network of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), a global partnership between Nations and organizations to protect coral reefs. I will be able to support the development of the “Status and Trends of Coral Reefs of the Caribbean: 1980-2024” GCRMN report.
This is crucial for the region’s coral reefs, serving as one of the most impactful, evidence-based assessments of reef health, directly connecting regional conditions to global conservation strategies.
You’ve become quite the leader in coral bleaching. What are some takeaways from your bleaching research, fieldwork, and presentations?
Understanding monitoring efforts of global coral bleaching events has been at my forefront since the third and fourth global events. I have been able to connect with key groups globally, and we agree that we are at a tipping point! Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent and reefs are burning up! It’s been tough to stay positive with such devastation happening in reefs. I find inspiration in working alongside such dedicated individuals and organizations and finding strength in building alliances.
We need to work endlessly to continue to link the citizens, science, and policy to cut carbon emissions. As the scientific community, we need to work together and collaborate with a greater purpose. In this process, one of my main goals was to summarize all the great efforts in this Coral Bleaching Toolkit and Comprehensive Guide which summarizes global tools, regional monitoring networks, and protocols. We must find ways to collect comparable data, integrate data sets, and translate results in a way that policymakers can understand to take action. We also collaborated with organizations, the private sector, and government agencies to reach for Coral Bleaching Awareness Month during November to support the message of protecting coral reefs.
I´ve also been a supporter of webinars of #ForCoral Webinar Series with ICRI and Reef Resilience Network (RRN) and trainings on coral bleaching methodologies that you can access on the CORALs webinar channel on YouTube.
Another key takeaway is that we are quickly running out of time and that now is the time for action. Half of the Atlantic reef-building corals are at elevated risk of extinction due to climate change and other threats, as found in this research that I collaborated with researchers of the Coral Specialist Group, International Union for Conservation for Nature.
From your perspective, how do healthy coral reefs contribute to the well-being of coastal communities?
There are many ways coral reefs benefit coastal communities such as food security (fishing), coastal protection, and cultural value.
I´ve lived in various coastal communities in Hawai’i, Honduras, and Mexico, and something in common is their strong connection with fisheries as their main source of food. If we have a healthy coral reef community, we will have a diversity of corals that provide habitat to fish communities that can then support the primary food system of local communities. Some communities also depend on these fisheries (fish, crustaceans) not only for subsistence, but for their livelihoods, as the fish gets sold to other nearby towns, sold to tourists visiting the area, or traded for other resources.
From my perspective, this is one of the most important contributions of coral reefs to coastal communities that I have been able to experience firsthand.
What are some of the direct and indirect ways that coral reef degradation can affect human health?
Following the last question, I´d say reduced food security for coastal communities. Many people who live in cities or far away from the ocean would argue that they do not have a direct benefit from coral reefs. I’d like to step back and talk about the direct and indirect ways that ocean degradation may affect human health.
Oceans are the main ecosystem that regulates the climate of the earth. We are pumping way too much carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This is all absorbed by the ocean, and in this process, we are severely changing the capacity of heat and gas content in the ocean, and we are essentially changing its chemical composition.
Marine heat waves also become more common, and we see impacts of coral bleaching that can degrade reefs and affect the balance between food chains and fish habitats. Ocean acidification is also a major impact, as we are affecting the capacity of crustaceans, fish, and reefs to grow calcium carbonate structures due to chemical changes. This directly impacts our food sources not only in coastal communities but globally. As we change the balance of the ocean, we may also be prone to changing climate patterns, stronger hurricanes, storms, rain patterns, winds, droughts, and altered currents. So no matter where we are, we are all influenced by these changes.
What are some of the most effective strategies for protecting and restoring coral reef health?
The most effective strategy for protecting coral reefs is to reduce local stressors and link evidence-based science to policy and governance at all levels. It is imperative to reduce local stressors such as the implementation of proper waste management (both solid and liquid waste), healthy and inclusive fisheries, and engaged communities and citizens.
I could go on and on and mention diverse strategies at the local, regional, or global level, but focusing on local solutions is extremely important. By having clean water, we ensure reefs are not receiving excessive amounts of nutrients and pathogens. Lack of wastewater treatment may lead to algal and cyanobacteria overgrowth from increased nutrient levels that then smother and kill reefs.
It´s also imperative that we link collaborative science, innovation, and monitoring alongside citizen engagement and education to policy and governance! Sounds like an easy fix, and many people and institutions have dedicated their lives to support this one way or another.
Anything else?
I make my eco-blocks! I am a recycling maniac. I recycle cans, paper, glass, electronics, tetrapak, and compost. Everything else that I am not able to recycle such as wrappers, plastics from food, or other items, I pack into an Eco-block! I have been doing this for 3 years, and I hope to build a chicken coup or something (need ideas!) with all my generated waste.
Support Andrea’s Work
Andrea’s journey, from the mountains of Honduras to the turquoise waters of Quintana Roo, exemplifies the transformative power of passion and collaboration in coral reef conservation. Her work highlights the urgency and potential of uniting science, community action, and policy to protect these irreplaceable ecosystems.
By supporting CORAL, you help advance projects like Andrea’s that not only protect coral reefs but also bolster the well-being of the coastal communities that depend on them. Together, we can create a healthier ocean and a more sustainable future. Join us in making a lasting impact.
