Coral Nursery Project
The Coral Nursery Project is a program designed to develop coral colonies through fragmentation using techniques similarly used in reforestation. By taking small fragments (cuttings) of corals and placing them in an area free of predation from organisms that eat corals, we provide a habitat to allow them to grow quickly to a size where they can then be transplanted to areas of denuded reef.
Coral Nursery Project
The Coral Nursery Project is a program designed to develop coral colonies through fragmentation using techniques similarly used in reforestation. By taking small fragments (cuttings) of corals and placing them in an area free of predation from organisms that eat corals, we provide a habitat to allow them to grow quickly to a size where they can then be transplanted to areas of denuded reef.
Project Concept
Although the project was an opportunity to study the growth rates and effectiveness of coral fragmenting and transplantation methods, it plays an important role in highlighting the need to protect the world’s coral reefs and how vulnerable they are to environmental changes. Started in April 2006, the project has been supported by the help of the local community and local dive centers.
Project Concept
Although the project was an opportunity to study the growth rates and effectiveness of coral fragmenting and transplantation methods, it plays an important role in highlighting the need to protect the world’s coral reefs and how vulnerable they are to environmental changes. Started in April 2006, the project has been supported by the help of the local community and local dive centers.
Floating platforms
The two floating platforms consist of forklift truck pallets that are fixed together and floated by a number of 8″ mooring buoys that are positioned beneath each platform. The whole structure is fixed to the bottom by use of sand screws and ropes which are adjusted to allow the structures to float horizontally at about 6 meters from the surface.
Floating platforms
The two floating platforms consist of forklift truck pallets that are fixed together and floated by a number of 8″ mooring buoys that are positioned beneath each platform. The whole structure is fixed to the bottom by use of sand screws and ropes which are adjusted to allow the structures to float horizontally at about 6 meters from the surface.
Sand screws
Inserting sandscrews is not easy when you consider they have to go through fossilized calcium carbonate rock which is beneath the sand. It requires a team of 3 or 4 divers to insert one sandscrew by hand. One person hammers the top of the sandscrew as the other divers turn the sandscrew by use of a four foot pipe inserted through the rings at the top of the sandscrew. it can take up to a whole dive to inset one sandscrew and can be exhausting.
We manufactured sandscrews using 3/4″ rebar. A heavier and solid core in the sandscrews makes it easier to hammer the screws into the substrate since the energy of each hammer strike is transferred directly down through the tip of the sandscrew. The sandscrews have a heavy flat plate at the top to allow us to hammer the sandscrew. Beneath the top plate is a large ring that allow us to insert the the bar used for turning the screw, and then after the ropes are tied to these rings.
Sand screws
Inserting sandscrews is not easy when you consider they have to go through fossilized calcium carbonate rock which is beneath the sand. It requires a team of 3 or 4 divers to insert one sandscrew by hand. One person hammers the top of the sandscrew as the other divers turn the sandscrew by use of a four foot pipe inserted through the rings at the top of the sandscrew. it can take up to a whole dive to inset one sandscrew and can be exhausting.
We manufactured sandscrews using 3/4″ rebar. A heavier and solid core in the sandscrews makes it easier to hammer the screws into the substrate since the energy of each hammer strike is transferred directly down through the tip of the sandscrew. The sandscrews have a heavy flat plate at the top to allow us to hammer the sandscrew. Beneath the top plate is a large ring that allow us to insert the the bar used for turning the screw, and then after the ropes are tied to these rings.
Which coral species
The nursery is mostly stocked with a species of coral known as acropora. As this coral can reproduce asexually as fragments break off and form new colonies the species is ideal for taking fragments. This species is abundant in the area so they grow well in these conditions. Acropora are one of the faster growing corals so can be harvested quicker. The nursery is fully stocked once per year and the corals remain there for a full year prior top being transplanted back to new sites.
Which coral species
The nursery is mostly stocked with a species of coral known as acropora. As this coral can reproduce asexually as fragments break off and form new colonies the species is ideal for taking fragments. This species is abundant in the area so they grow well in these conditions. Acropora are one of the faster growing corals so can be harvested quicker. The nursery is fully stocked once per year and the corals remain there for a full year prior top being transplanted back to new sites.
Stocking the platforms
Each platform consists of 14 racks which each hold 60 coral fragments, this allows us to process 1680 fragments per year on the platforms alone. The coral fragments are squeezed into silicone tubes (various tube sizes to account for different coral diameters). The fragments are then installed into mesh which is fastened to 3/4″ pvc piping.
No glue is used in the process, however it is important that the fragments are securely inserted in the tubing, so the base of the fragment is trimmed to fit to the tubing. The fragments are neatly aligned in rows of 10 to allow for easy counting.
Stocking the platforms
Each platform consists of 14 racks which each hold 60 coral fragments, this allows us to process 1680 fragments per year on the platforms alone. The coral fragments are squeezed into silicone tubes (various tube sizes to account for different coral diameters). The fragments are then installed into mesh which is fastened to 3/4″ pvc piping.
No glue is used in the process, however it is important that the fragments are securely inserted in the tubing, so the base of the fragment is trimmed to fit to the tubing. The fragments are neatly aligned in rows of 10 to allow for easy counting.
Coral Rehabilitation Workshop
Our Coral Rehabilitation Workshop aims to teach students about coral reefs and other marine organisms.
The workshop looks at the role of the coral reef ecosystem and the types of threats that have an impact on the health of the reef.
As part of the workshop students are taught the techniques used for restocking the coral nursery and the methodology used in transplanting the corals back to the coral reefs.
Learn More about our Workshop
Coral Rehabilitation Workshop
Our Coral Rehabilitation Workshop aims to teach students about coral reefs and other marine organisms.
The workshop looks at the role of the coral reef ecosystem and the types of threats that have an impact on the health of the reef.
As part of the workshop students are taught the techniques used for restocking the coral nursery and the methodology used in transplanting the corals back to the coral reefs.
Learn More about our Workshop
Maintenance Work
The nursery needs to be cleaned regularly once every month to reduce the build up of algae growth that could smother the coral fragments. Therefore a team of volunteer divers made up of divers from different dive centers on the island cooperate to clean the platforms using brushes and other tools. At this time the corals are counted to assess what the survival rates are. We’re always looking for support so if you are interested in volunteering for the project please let us know.
Maintenance Work
The nursery needs to be cleaned regularly once every month to reduce the build up of algae growth that could smother the coral fragments. Therefore a team of volunteer divers made up of divers from different dive centers on the island cooperate to clean the platforms using brushes and other tools. At this time the corals are counted to assess what the survival rates are. We’re always looking for support so if you are interested in volunteering for the project please let us know.
Coral Trees
A new system was introduced in 2017 by means of what we like to refer to as ‘Coral trees. These ‘coral trees’ permit us to hang coral fragments from branches of the ‘trees’. Each tree holds up to 48 fragments and currently we have 9 trees that can support up to 432 frgaments
No glue is used in the process, however it is important that the fragments are securely inserted in the tubing, so the base of the fragment is trimmed to fit to the tubing. The fragments are neatly aligned in rows of 10 to allow for easy counting.
Coral Trees
A new system was introduced in 2017 by means of what we like to refer to as ‘Coral trees’. These ‘coral trees’ permit us to hang coral fragments from branches of the ‘trees’. Each tree holds up to 48 fragments and currently we have 9 trees that can support up to 432 fragments
No glue is used in the process, however it is important that the fragments are securely inserted in the tubing, so the base of the fragment is trimmed to fit to the tubing. The fragments are neatly aligned in rows of 10 to allow for easy counting.
