Just offshore from beautiful Pele Island, situated a short distance from Vanuatu’s main island of Efate, members of the local community are working hard to establish a new, exciting coral experience for divers. If you’re looking for the opportunity to spend some time exploring some of the planet’s most beautiful underwater environments while helping coral thrive, consider spending a holiday coral gardening in Vanuatu.
The Goal Of Coral Gardening: Reversing the Effects of Climate Change
By now, most of us are aware that climate change has had a serious adverse effect on coral reefs in many locations around the world. A new eco-tourism venture aims to pair divers with threatened reef environments, with the ultimate goal of reversing the effects of climate change.
Also known as mariculture, coral gardening is used for coral reef restoration in many areas. In Vanuatu, the goal isn’t just to help restore the reef, but to enhance snorkeling trails designed to draw more attention to the importance of conservation.
While corals propagate naturally, a damaged reef can’t afford to wait for nature to take its course. Initial trials for the project focused on selecting corals for positive traits such as growth, form, color, and disease resistance; attachment and growth rates were also studied to ensure a greater chance for success when corals are added to existing mother colonies. Researchers discovered that when properly handled, young corals have very high rates of survival, approaching 100 percent.
Vanuatu offers excellent conditions for significant coral growth, with culture sites including plenty of shelter from outside waves, good water flow, high-quality seawater, and abundant shelter for fish, which help keep the reef frames clear of excess algae growth. Small coral fragments (3-5 centimeters on average) serve as seed, and are attached to the frame via monofilament. Some fragments are direct-cultured on rubble beds and concrete forms. In the event growth is threatened by very hot weather which can lead to bleaching, shade cloth is used to shelter the young corals.
Over time, the small corals come together to form vibrant colonies, in turn helping fish, crustaceans, and other reef organisms to live healthy lives. Although the technology used is simple and cost-effective, it has been proven to work well.
Not only are participants helping corals and other ocean animals to thrive, they are helping Vanuatu’s people as well. The tourism that comes along with healthy ocean ecosystems brings employment with it. In addition coral farming promotes overall reef awareness and promotes better management.
The new coral farming program was launched at Pele Island’s Worasiviu Village, and with it comes the opportunity for direct involvement on the front lines of the battle against the negative effects of climate change. Knowing that the small corals being transplanted will ultimately grow into full-size coral colonies encourages greater participation. Dr. Christopher Bartlett, who works with the project, notes that “Tourists can actually snorkel down and attach their own fragment of coral onto the coral garden bed and it’s kind of their living souvenir that they’ll remember the rest of their lives. They feel like they came and left a part of themselves here in Vanuatu.” Monies raised with the new venture will go towards other activities aimed at climate change adaptation such as reef surveys and fish aggregation.