Coral Replanting and Restoration at Gayana Eco Resort

Posted March 07, 2008

Location: Gayana Eco Resort Jetty
Project Started: 2nd week of February 2008
Project Status: Ongoing
Objective: To restore the corals reef and marine life at Gayana Eco Resort To promote Gayana Eco Resort as a tourist destination To promote the International Year of the Reef (IYOR 2008) To create the awareness on the importance of appreciating our marine heritage To test new coral plating method

Project Introduction: Local coral reef has been deteriorated by the human activity physically disturb the reef (i.e fish bombing using cyanides and other methods) and degrades water quality (use of non-biodegradable detergent, as an example). The remaining coral reef structures are less able to protect the shore line or to provide shelter and food for the many other organisms which live between corals. To improve the marine life and its biodiversity into Gayana’s water, a team of staff led by the Operation Manager of Gayana Eco Resort has started a coral replanting and restoration project. A 20 meters long (at the moment and length is still being extended) of an artificial structure made with iron bars has been built along the slope to help stabilize the slope and to create a base which the coral fragments are tied to attach with the iron bars as the as the support base. Bits and pieces of broken yet living coral are collected for the replanting and restoration purposes. Up till today, more than 10 species of coral (hard and soft coral) are being planted and monitor by the team. Within a month, there are significant changes from this project. More marine life can be seen underwater, seeking for food and shelter from the coral that has been planted around the area. A continuous coral replanting and observation as well monitoring will be taking place from time to time.