How to Repair Coral Reefs

Some coral reefs are in danger of dying due to overfishing.

Repairing damaged and dying coral reefs is important for protecting ocean wildlife and beachfront development. Coral reefs are living coral polyps growing on ocean rocks that protect beaches and coastlines from strong waves and erosion and lessen the effects of tsunamis and strong tropical storms. Coral reefs are also home to many different species of marine life, like tropical fish and aquatic plants. There are multiple approaches to repairing coral reefs, but using them all in conjunction produces the best results.

Things You'll Need

• Concrete reef balls
• Ceramic settlement plates
• Wire grids
• Golf tees

Instructions

1. Place concrete reef balls and ceramic settlement plates on the seafloor. These man-made objects help reef production by becoming hosts on which coral polyps can grow, much like natural rock formations. Old subway cars, tires and any steel or concrete structures can also be used.

2. Place fishing restrictions on protected reef areas. Limiting fishing on and around coral reefs removes the risks of overfishing, fishing-related pollution and the likelihood of ship groundings. These risks are some of the main causes of coral reef degradation.

3. Transplant existing coral to new locations by attaching live coral to golf tees on a wire grid. Place these grids in shallow and bright ocean areas to increase the chance of survival and growth.

Tips & Warnings

• Sea urchins help coral reefs prosper because they limit algal overgrowth.

• Man-made objects are costly to install and may force other marine life out of their habitats.

• Transplanting coral may damage preexisting coral.

References

• Stanford University: Microdocs: How Reefs Protect the Land
• University of North Carolina; Institute for the Environment; Coral Reef Restoration; Lilly Clark; May 2009

Resources

• "Ecological Enginering"; 15; Coral Reef Restoration; Walter C. Jaap; March 2000