Coral reef restoration – What it is and how to take action?

Coral reef restoration is the new sexy for every self-respecting diver! We certainly all love the ocean and the treasures that it holds. But what do we do to protect them?

In this blog post you will discover how coral restoration works and why it is so important for our oceans.

 

The coral reef restoration project that changed my life

It was some time in 2017 when a very good friend of mine, knowing my deep interest and love for diving and the ocean, sent me an article about coral reef restoration. This was the seed of everything. From that moment I started reading and researching the topic. Not long after, I decided I wanted to learn more and experience it for myself.

That’s how I crossed paths with Daniela Mejia, the co-founder and director of the Utila Coral Restoration Project. An organization that will later change my life. After emailing back and forth a little bit I could tell the incredible knowledge and experience she had and how this was a ‘real thing’. But it was only once I was in Utila with her in the classroom that I understood her passion. It was at that point that I saw how all of this was starting to wake up something really amazing in me and my life.

I signed up for a 12-days internship with Utila Coral Restoration (UCR). During that time I learnt about the actual conditions of our oceans and reefs. I was also introduced to several distinctive specialties created by Daniela. Those included Caribbean Coral Identification, Coral Diseases Identification, Coral Restoration Techniques and Coral Nursery Maintenance. Afterwards, working and volunteering long term with UCR I learnt and experienced so much more.

I fell in love with what I learnt and understood that I discovered a new dream. A dream for which I was willing to drop everything else in my life. And so I did! I got trained and certified as an Open Water Scuba Instructor and I started teaching and training other divers in coral reef restoration and marine conservation!

 

Why are coral reefs important?

Coral reefs provide shelter to an incredibly important ecosystem and protect the coast by reducing the impact of the waves. What is more, coral reefs around the world produce more than half of the oxygen of the world! (Some say that number actually reaches close to 70%). They do this incredible service covering as little as 0.2% of the sea floor. 

As we all know, coral reefs of the world are in a critical state nowadays. The total coverage of corals in the Caribbean has declined from approx 55% in 1977 to 10% today. Coral growth rates are also decreasing, with coral calcification diminishing by 15-30% since the 90’s (Rinkevich 2015). 

Part of this problem is the emergence and propagation of diseases that have affected up to 90% of the colonies of some species. But most of the direct threats to our reefs are caused by human activity. It is not only the actions that contribute to global warming. Other simple actions like accidental kicking and breaking of corals leave massive damage. The introduction of harmful substances like non-reef safe sunscreen or insect repellent is also affecting the health of coral reefs.

 

What is coral reef restoration?

Coral reef restoration is the development of techniques for preserving highly endangered species of coral that are fundamental for the reefs. The objective is funding a stronger, more resilient and more healthy wall. This is done by creating accelerated and safe spaces for those species to grow and develop healthily in order to plant them back into the reef.

Different techniques of coral reef restoration have been applied around the years and the world. The techniques that I personally know and that Utila Coral Restoration have been using so far, mixes a proven well working technique for the species treated until now (Acropora Cervicornis and Acropora Palmata) and the experience given by the environment and special conditions of the reef of Utila Island.

Daniela and her team have worked over the last few years to implement an underwater coral nursery system that works best for the Acropora species from this part of the world. This technique has an impressively high rate of success and growth. Furthermore, it allowed dozens of students to learn about coral reef restoration in a comfortable and simple environment. A review of Acropora restoration projects in the Caribbean found that the method of coral gardening is regarded as one of the most effective methods of restoration (Young et al 2012).

 

What is a coral nursery and how does it work?

A coral nursery is a structure placed very carefully in specific areas of the reef. Its purpose is to grow coral fragments in a safe environment where there is less competition for food and space. This structure is cleaned and monitored by researchers, scientists and marine biologists frequently. Thus, they evaluate the growth and development of the coral fragments.

A controlled environment that reduces competition helps the corals grow stronger and faster. This allows them to focus more on their growth and less in fighting predators, invaders and algae.

After the fragments reach a certain size that will give them a higher chance of surviving on their own on the reef, they are planted in carefully chosen areas. A specific trained method is used, to contribute to the health and resilience of the reef. At the International Coral Reef Symposium in Australia it was reported that from a biological point of view, transplantation generally reaches survival rates between 50% and 100% when corals are transplanted into similar habitats to those they were collected from.

 

How does coral reef restoration help?

Coral reef restoration projects are an effort to repopulate threatened species of coral. At the same time they help educate divers and students. What is more, through coral reef restoration projects greatly important scientific data is collected that can be used by governments and NGO’s. They aim to be a contribution and a compliment for the marine protection policies. At the same time creating awareness and providing educational opportunities related to environmental conservation.

 

What about this place called Utila Island?

 

About the island and its reefs

With a total área of 49.3 km² Utila is the smallest of the three major islands part of the Bay Islands of Honduras.

The coral reef is part of the Mesoamerican Reefs, which is the second largest system of the world. With just over 1000kms (620 miles), the Mesoamerican Reef System stretches along the eastern coast of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. It provides direct sustenance and livelihood for approximately 2 million people.

The geography of the island places the reef just a few meters away from the coast. That is one of the reasons for the amazing diving you can experience here. The diving conditions are really nice and easy. The water temperature is warm, there are no tides or strong currents and the visibility is great. This also makes it a perfect place to learn how to dive. The island is frequently visited by some of the most amazing marine creatures, including whale sharks, pilot whales, hammerheads, rough-toothed and spinner dolphins.

 

How to get to Utila

Depending on how much time and money you want to spend on your way there, there’s a few different options:

• • Fly into San Pedro Sula, from there:
    a) take a taxi or bus to La Ceiba to catch the ferry (around an hour) or
    b) take a local flight with CM airlines directly from San Pedro airport to Utila. 
  • Fly into Roatan, the biggest island of the Bay, and from there catch the ferry or a local flight.
  • I’m sure there’s quite some more but these are the most common ones and therefore less risky options. Let’s remember Honduras is crossing some difficult social and political times. 

 

Currency & making payments

The local currency is Lempiras (LPS) getting these days to a rate around 23,5 LPS per dollar. There are some places on the island that take US dollars but they are going to have a lower exchange rate for sure. You can always go to the local bank located in the main street to change currency. Also there are some people around the island that can help you with that too. Credit cards are accepted in the big restaurants, but they will charge a fee.

 

Interesting facts about Utila

There are also a bunch of mangrove lands around Utila. These little islands provide habitat for a huge amount of different endangered species. That is why organizations like BICA (Bay Islands Conservation Association) are working on research and creating programs to protect the endangered wildlife of and the area.

The region is victim of an incredibly fast growing population of Lionfish. This species is originally from the Indo-pacific and was introduced erroneously to the Caribbean. There are no natural predators for this species. Thus their spread generates an incredibly negative impact on the reef.
This is another element endangering the survival of the reef in the region. That is why, multiple dive shops teach a distinctive specialty to learn how to hunt lionfish correctly. It is a joint effort to try to help reduce the impact of this invasive species on the local environment. This in itself is a huge topic not only for the cause of the problem but also for the consequences.

 

About the author 

My name is Bernardita Leria and I’m 29 yo. I was born in Chile and first studied a Bachelor’s in Business and Economics in Santiago. 

While I was travelling in Southeast Asia in 2016 I learned how to dive. However, I see myself as a diver from the Pacific, since the coast of Chile was where I dove the most before moving to Utila.

I became an instructor in September 2019 so I could spread my knowledge and love for the ocean. And with that share the need for us to preserve it. With this new role I could work with Utila Coral Restoration and teach as many divers as possible what coral reef restoration is. And the most satisfying part – show them how they can take concrete actions to help restore the reefs around the world. 

I love the ocean profoundly and I can’t wait to teach you how you can give back to it! I can’t stress enough how important it is to learn to collaborate directly. That is the only way we can keep enjoying all the underwater beauties for thousands more years.

Do reach out to me on Instagram and I will be happy to share more of my knowledge with all of you!