Viking Transplant Site

The transplant site at Viking Cave at Phi Phi Island is right at the coral nursery location so this was our first transplant site. The location selected as there was evidence of acropora species abundant in the area as one of the dominant species, however there were two events that caused significant damage to the reef here.
The first event occurred through the 2004 indo-pacific tsunami that swept through the area. This particular reef was originally a healthy habitat to many colonies of acropora table coral species and branching coral forms. As a fragile species many of these table corals were swept away as the wave traveled through the shallows.
The second event was the 2010 global beaching event. The coral bleaching in Asia during 2010 was widespread and affected many species of shallow water corals. One of the most impacted were the remaining acropora branching colonies.

Viking Transplant Site

The transplant site at Viking Cave at Phi Phi Island is right at the coral nursery location so this was our first transplant site. The location was selected as there was evidence of acropora species abundant in the area as one of the dominant species, however there were two events that caused significant damage to the reef here.
The first event occurred through the 2004 indo-pacific tsunami that swept through the area. This particular reef was originally a healthy habitat to many colonies of acropora table coral species and branching coral forms. As a fragile species many of these table corals were swept away as the wave traveled through the shallows.
The second event was the 2010 global beaching event. The coral bleaching in Asia during 2010 was widespread and affected many species of shallow water corals. One of the most impacted were the remaining acropora branching colonies.

The work to date

A number of areas have been successfully rehabilitated since transplanting at the Viking site started in 2007. Transplanting has been done onto the Artificial Reef, onto dead-standing coral and onto metal frames that were installed in 2008 and then expanded in 2018. Results have been surprisingly good considering a brief set back due to the coral bleaching in 2010.
The coral colonies are now big enough to enable us to harvest fragments to use in future nurseries.

Transplanting techniques

After 12 months in the coral nursery most of our corals are ready to be transplanted back onto the coral reef. We select specific locations based upon the depth and the suitability from that specific coral species. we also focus on sites that have considerable reef damage.
Over the 14 years of this project, we have explored numerous techniques for re-attaching corals to the substrate, and each has had different levels of success.

The work to date

A number of areas have been successfully rehabilitated since transplanting at the Viking site started in 2007. Transplanting has been done onto the Artificial Reef, onto dead-standing coral and onto metal frames that were installed in 2008 and then expanded in 2018. Results have been surprisingly good considering a brief set back due to the coral bleaching in 2010.
The coral colonies are now big enough to enable us to harvest fragments to use in future nurseries.

Transplanting techniques

After 12 months in the coral nursery most of our corals are ready to be transplanted back onto the coral reef. We select specific locations based upon the depth and the suitability from that specific coral species. we also focus on sites that have considerable reef damage.
Over the 14 years of this project, we have explored numerous techniques for re-attaching corals to the substrate, and each has had different levels of success.

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

nursery 06

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

nursery 06