WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature brought together a group of environmental activists, coral scientists, and local organizations last week to discuss how to save the coral in Curaçao.
WILLEMSTAD
– The Curaçao Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature brought together a group of environmental activists, coral scientists, and local organizations last week to discuss how to save the coral in Curaçao.
Coral reefs in the Caribbean region are in poor condition. The average coral cover in the Caribbean region is only 14.3 percent, a decrease of about eighty percent since the 1970s. Experts agree that urgent action is needed.
Coral reefs in the Caribbean region are in poor condition. The average coral cover in the Caribbean region is only 14.3 percent, a decrease of about eighty percent since the 1970s. Experts agree that urgent action is needed.
Curaçao is not immune to this trend, despite still having relatively high coral cover and hosting 68 different coral species.
Curaçao is not immune to this trend, despite still having relatively high coral cover and hosting 68 different coral species.
Promising Approach
Promising Approach
Although attempts have been made in the past to halt this decline through artificial reefs, reef balls, and underwater sculptures, these methods have not had the desired effect, as revealed during the workshop.
Although attempts have been made in the past to halt this decline through artificial reefs, reef balls, and underwater sculptures, these methods have not had the desired effect, as revealed during the workshop.
However, since 2015, asexual propagation of staghorn coral fragments has been undertaken in Curaçao, and this method has shown great promise.
However, since 2015, asexual propagation of staghorn coral fragments has been undertaken in Curaçao, and this method has shown great promise.
During the workshop, the procedure that coral nurseries must strictly adhere to was discussed. This policy, established in 2020, helps track and ensure the growth and genetic diversity of the corals.
During the workshop, the procedure that coral nurseries must strictly adhere to was discussed. This policy, established in 2020, helps track and ensure the growth and genetic diversity of the corals.
Thanks to these efforts, tens of thousands of coral fragments have already been propagated, and over 4,000 square meters of endangered staghorn coral have been transplanted onto the reef.
Thanks to these efforts, tens of thousands of coral fragments have already been propagated, and over 4,000 square meters of endangered staghorn coral have been transplanted onto the reef.
Sharing
Sharing
The workshop also provided a platform for the growers to share their experiences and raise questions about the challenges they face. One of the concrete follow-up steps is the establishment of a network for growers to share knowledge and documents, as well as creating a map with all the collected and transplanted corals. This aids the growers in acquiring new genetic material.
The workshop also provided a platform for the growers to share their experiences and raise questions about the challenges they face. One of the concrete follow-up steps is the establishment of a network for growers to share knowledge and documents, as well as creating a map with all the collected and transplanted corals. This aids the growers in acquiring new genetic material.
The ministry states that Curaçao is taking tangible steps to save the corals, but there is still much work to be done.
The ministry states that Curaçao is taking tangible steps to save the corals, but there is still much work to be done.
https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/main/curacao-focuses-on-coral-restoration/
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