Witness of Proudly Committed: Restoring coral and seagrass meadows off the coast of Malaga
22 October, 2026 Share
RIU Hotels & Resorts is proud to present the second episode of Witness of Proudly Committed, our YouTube documentary series showcasing the environmental and social projects we support around the world. After starting our journey in the Mexican Caribbean, restoring reefs alongside Cui Corrales, we now head to the Mediterranean coast. Marine biologist and science communicator Charlie Sarria, from Malaga, travels along the Andalusian coastline to highlight the work the Hombre y Territorio (HyT) Association does to restore seagrass meadows and conserve orange coral.
How does this journey link to RIU’s Proudly Committed strategy?
As we saw in the first episode, this documentary series brings RIU’s global sustainability strategy, Proudly Committed, to life on the ground. The strategy is built around three key pillars: People, Sustainable Destinations and Transparency. Witness of Proudly Committed continues this journey by inviting content creators and science communicators to offer a transparent, first-hand look at the real impact of the environmental and social projects we support alongside our NGO partners around the world.
Who is Charlie Sarria and what is his mission in Malaga?
Taking up the baton in this second episode is Charlie Sarria, a marine biologist and science communicator. Returning to his native Malaga is particularly meaningful to him, as he knows the Mediterranean’s rich underwater world well, in addition to the threats that put its delicate balance at risk.
Charlie does not dive simply to observe, but to give a voice to what is happening beneath the surface. With his gear at the ready and his passion for outreach, his challenge in this episode is to explore the depths of the Malaga coastline and show how applied science and a sustained effort can bring vulnerable marine ecosystems back to life.
The work of the Hombre y Territorio Association: applying science to the sea
To achieve this goal, Charlie joins the team at the Asociación Hombre y Territorio (HyT), an organisation made up of biologists and environmental specialists who we work closely with.
HyT stands out for its comprehensive approach: it combines scientific research, active marine restoration, and environmental awareness. Its work on the Andalusian coast is essential to curb the impact of overfishing, marine litter and human pressure, demonstrating that with proper management it is even possible to regenerate the Mediterranean’s most threatened habitats.
Missions in Malaga: restoring seagrass meadows and rescuing orange coral
As part of the Sustainable Destinations pillar of our Proudly Committed strategy, RIU and Hombre y Territorio are working together on two key initiatives in locations including the Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Area and Nerja.
- Restoring seagrass meadows: A painstaking process that begins with collecting cuttings of Posidonia and other seagrass species in Almería. These are then used to create patches that are carefully secured to the seabed to regenerate underwater meadows.
- Rescuing and transplanting orange coral (Astroides calycularis): The team conducts dives to rescue coral colonies dislodged by human activity. Using transport containers designed by MedCoral, the corals are moved and carefully replanted, one by one, on the reef using specialist marine cement. Thanks to this work, nearly 70% of the colonies involved survive, grow, and reproduce successfully.
Once he has successfully completed this work in Malaga, Charlie passes the baton to Nat and Marina from Nexo Natura, who will be travelling to Cadiz to present the third episode in this worldwide series of conservation initiatives.
Summary table of the project in the Mediterranean
| Concept | Details of the Environmental Action |
| Framework Strategy | Proudly Committed (RIU’s Global Sustainability Strategy) |
| Key Pillar | Sustainable Destinations (Biodiversity Conservation) |
| Documentary Series | Witness of Proudly Committed (Episode 2 on YouTube) |
| Featured Expert | Charlie Sarria (marine biologist and science communicator from Malaga) |
| Partner Organisation | Hombre y Territorio (HyT) Association |
| Technical Support | MedCoral Project |
| Locations | Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Area, Nerja and the Almería coast |
| Main Actions | Transplanting of Astroides calycularis and attaching seagrasses to the seabed |
| Success Rate | ~70% survival rate in relocated orange coral colonies |
| Next Destination | Cadiz (with Nat and Marina from Nexo Natura – Episode 3) |
Dive into the second episode!
Don’t miss this incredible dive into the depths of the Mediterranean. Head over to our YouTube channel, subscribe and join Charlie Sarria and the Hombre y Territorio team on this exciting underwater mission!
Did you miss the first episode?
If you have not yet seen how this journey began, join us for a look back at Episode 1 in the Mexican Caribbean. Join marine biologist Cui Corrales and the Oceanus Foundation, AC as they restore coral reefs using underwater nurseries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Episode 2
To showcase the marine conservation and restoration work carried out by the Hombre y Territorio (HyT) Association along the Andalusian coast, with RIU’s support under its Sustainable Destinations pillar.
It stars Charlie Sarria, a marine biologist and science communicator originally from Malaga.
The project involves rescuing and securing orange coral (Astroides calycularis) using marine cement and MedCoral containers, as well as replanting patches of seagrass species to regenerate underwater meadows.
Nearly 70% of the orange coral colonies rescued by the HyT team survive, grow, and successfully reproduce.
Restoration efforts are taking place in the Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Area, the Nerja coast, and cuttings are being collected in Almería.
Charlie Sarria passes the baton to Nat and Marina from Nexo Natura, who will showcase environmental sustainability projects in Cadiz in the third episode.
