.jpg)
It’s been nearly one year since six coral nurseries were set up near Placencia with funding from the World Bank and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (based in Belmopan). The focus of the work has been on the Acroporid corals (Elkhorn, Staghorn, and a hybrid) for multiple reasons. These were the first corals to be listed on the IUCN Red List for endangered species and their category is “Critically Endangered”, one step away from “Extinct in the Wild”. Their abundance Caribbean-wide has been reduced by over 98% in the last three decades primarily due to climate change: increased frequency and intensity of storms, bleaching events due to sea water temperatures rising, and deadly diseases associated with bleaching events and predation. Yet these are the fastest growing, main reef-building species and provide habitat to hundreds of marine creatures, including the commercially important Spiny lobster. They also provide storm protection and aesthetic value for tourism.
Three different methodologies are used for growing corals in their natural environment: “frames”, “ropes” & “tables”. The first two are for the Acroporids and the table allowed us to experiment with other stony corals species like star, brain, finger and pillar corals. Seven-month growth data was shared at UB’s Third Natural Resource Symposium last October, and at two dissemination events held in December targeting tour guides and marine reserve staff. These were held in Placencia (30 participants) and San Pedro (40 participants) where two nursery frames were assembled in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve with their staff and Fisheries’ support. In early February a third dissemination event will be held in Placencia targeting regional mangers and combined with the first out-planting effort from the nurseries. After the one-year data is collected and the report generated there will be an update in the Breeze.
Using the help of tour guides and marine reserve staff, the out planting will take place primarily at Laughing Bird Caye where previous Elkhorn coral transplants have been successful. Literally hundreds of coral fragments are ready to be trimmed from their nursery substrates, where the “mother” stock will be left behind for more growth and out-planting at later dates. Genetic analyses have been done on these corals and their symbiotic zooxanthellae algae to make sure genetic diversity is represented. This is crucial for the long term success which we hope will be defined by observed spawning of the out-plants. Nursery success takes advantages of these species’ natural ability to reproduce asexually, but they are animals, and hermaphrodites, and so sexual reproduction is the hoped end goal of the out-planting design.
Laughing Bird Caye is the first target restoration area as it was decimated by both Hurricanes Mitch (1998) and Iris (2001), has over 10,000 visitors a year, and is both a National Park and part of the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage System.
WWF-CA provided essential funding for the interim monitoring of the nurseries, the laboratory work, the December dissemination events, and one of the Hol Chan nurseries. Thanks also goes out to the Fisheries and Forest Department, and SEA for their continued support and collaboration. If you would like more information contact me at lisas@btl.net or check out Dr. Bowden-Kirby’s website www.coralsforconservation.com he has been doing this type of work in Fiji for many years.
GO BACK TO INDEX PAGE
