Billed as the biggest coral reef restoration effort on the planet, a trio of Keys-based organizations are spearheading the charge to help the world’s oceans heal, thrive and continue to be havens of sustainable life.
The Coral Restoration Foundation, Reef Renewal USA and Mote Marine Laboratory are implementing strategies that can be used elsewhere to protect and restore reefs. That includes growing huge numbers of coral fragments in large, offshore nurseries on PVC-style trees. Fragments are hung from “branches” using monofilament line.
“In the wild, it would take 50 to 70 years to do what our nursery can do in six to seven months,” says Frank Slifka, director of coral programs at Captain Hook’s Dive Center in Big Pine Key.
The groups rely on volunteers to help plant and care for the nursery.
“Coral reefs are the habitat of nearly one-quarter of all marine life on the planet,” Frank says. “Much of our food comes from the sea, and the reefs absorb most of the wave energy generated by the ocean, thus lessening the damage associated from hurricanes and other tropical storms.”
Meagan Murray of Reef Renewal USA teaches divers how to use brushes and chisels to remove algae and fire coral from lines. Both threaten the health of and compete for space with the coral fragments.
“Any region of coral with algae cover is no longer alive,” Meagan says. “Bright orange/brown signifies happy, healthy tissue. White areas are in their first stages of dying but are not necessarily dead until they are overtaken with algae.”
Although most of the time spent underwater is work-related, volunteers spot occasional sea life. Meagan says she especially is excited to see Diadema sea urchins—“our full-time restoration volunteers”—which graze on algae in the nursery.
“A healthy coral reef benefits anyone making a living in the Keys,” Frank says. “The Keys economy is based solely on the health of these waters and the coral reef.”
With water temperatures continuing to rise, the race to save the coral reef is urgent.
“We realize some of what we are planting at the farm sites will die, but what we are learning with coral nurseries here will help the rest of the world,” Frank says. “Together, we may reverse this global crisis.”