What we do?
1
We estimate the reef health to select donor colonies.
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We transplant the fragments in our nurseries to enhance their growth.
2
We collect small fragments from the selected colonies.
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We monitor each fragment growth and health.
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We outplant grown fragments back to the damaged reef areas to restore them.
1
Donor site selection
As a first thing, field underwater surveys are conducted with the aim of idenfifying the best donor site. During these operations we evaluate multiple requirments of the donor site such as:
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The distance from nursery site
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The health state of the site and availability of live corals
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The abundance and diversity of coral species present in the donor site
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The environmental conditions of the site (e.g., exposure, sedimentation, current strength etc.)
2
Fragments collection
Fragmentation is a natural process, occurring when coral pieces are broken from a colony as a result of wave action, storms or animal activities. Under favourable conditions, these fragments can attach and develop into new colonies. We select and collect naturally and still healthy broken corals from the donor site to reduce as much as possible our impact. Once moved on our nurseries, we rely on the fragments' ability to grow into a full colony through the division of coral polyps into clones, a process called budding.
3
Nursery phase
Each fragment is carefully fixed on our nurseries using different approaches depending on the nursery type.
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On tree nurseries, fragments are secured to each branch using nylon monofilament fishing line and alluminum crimps.
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On rack nursery, fragments are directly stucked within each rope.
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On cone nurseries, fragments are secured to the iron structure using cable plastic ties
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Growth and maintainance
All nurseries are checked, repaired and
maintained on a regular basis to provide corals the best conditions for growth and survival. Furthermore, for the period of permanence in the nurseries, data on fragments growth, health state, bleaching, algal covering and mortality rate are recorded on a monthly basis.
5
Transplantation
Once ready, grown healthy fragments are transplanted from the nurseries back to the damaged parts of the reef emplying various techniques (e.g., via epoxy, cementification or by nailing ropes). Selected transplantation sites present different depths and are exposed to different environmental conditions. Data on survival and growth rate of trasnplanted corals are then recorded regularly.