On a damaged Malaysian seabed, ‘concrete’ reefs are bringing coral & fish back, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• Artificial reefs made of concrete are being installed near Pom Pom Island, Malaysia to rejuvenate damaged coral reefs.
• The Tropical Research and Conservation Center (Tracc) has installed over 60 structures in the past two years, costing about $5,000 each.
• These reefs aim to restore the Coral Triangle, a biodiverse marine region damaged by dynamite fishing.
• Within 18 months, the first structure saw 500 young corals settle on it, indicating positive results.

Detailed Insights:

• Dynamite fishing, though illegal, is common in the area due to anglers seeking larger catches, causing significant damage to coral reefs.
• The artificial reefs provide a surface for corals to attach and grow, leading to the return of various marine species like damselfishes and groupers.
• Coral bleaching, accelerated by rising ocean temperatures, has caused Malaysia to lose about 20% of its coral cover in recent years.
• Tracc plans to install another 100 reef structures, funded in part by a $100,000 grant from the Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform.
• While effective, concrete reefs may not support marine life that typically drills into natural reef surfaces.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Coral Bleaching: The process where corals expel algae due to stress, causing them to turn white and become vulnerable.
• Artificial Reef: A man-made structure placed on the seabed to promote marine life and habitat restoration.
• Coral Triangle: A marine area in Southeast Asia known for its high biodiversity of coral and marine species.