Planting a new coral nursery at Lac Bay takes a lot of preparation!
Last week, Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire transported elkhorn (A. palmata) corals from Buddy’s Reef nursery to the newly installed Lac Bay nursery. Of course, it took much preparation to ensure the coral fragments reached the nursery as quickly and safely as possible.
Coral fragments were taken from the original nursery and placed in a truck with salt water for its trip to the other side of the island. Once the vehicle reached Lac Bay, the coral fragments were transferred to a zodiac for quick transport to the new coral nursery.
Over the next few weeks, the fragments of elkhorn coral will acclimate to the new environment. Then, the coral will be pruned to start filling up ten nursery trees. Eventually, the coral will be outplanted within the bay, restoring this coral species population and strengthening the reef area for the future.
A healthy reef is critical for many reasons.
A healthy fringing reef provides critical habitat and nursery ground for a wide variety of marine life. It can help break up waves and protects the beaches of Sorobon from erosion. It can also provide pristine water conditions for sustainable recreational use for many years to come.
If you are at Lac Bay and see the coral nursery, please remember to keep your distance and do not disturb the coral.
This project is part of The Caribbean OCTs Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Program (RESEMBID), funded by the European Union and led by STINAPA Bonaire.
(Source: Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire, STINAPA Bonaire, Photography by Lorenzo Mittiga)
