Issue 4 - Piloting Ropes for Coral Restoration

Coral reef restoration

WASINI ISLAND, KENYA

With financial support from SMEP and the ICDO, the Catchgreen project has developed an innovative compound, Biodolomer®Ocean, designed specifically for marine applications. The Kenyan Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and the Wasini Beach Management Unit (BMU) recently started pilots with ropes in Biodolomer®Ocean for coral restoration. The piloted method offers cost-effective and accelerated coral restoration and a sustainable solution to bringing back marine life to the overfished and damaged reefs. By restoring the coral reefs, the local fishermen have noticed an increase in available fish which brings in important income to the community. The Wasini BMU also get an income from tourist who visit the community-protected area. Divers are invited to plant corals and learn about the importance of coral restoration.

Biodegradable ropes for coral restoration

ACCELERATED CORAL RESTORATION

Ropes can play a vital role in coral restoration efforts as they are used to create structures that can support and protect newly planted coral fragments. These structures, known as "coral nurseries," provide a safe environment for corals to grow and mature, allowing them to eventually be transplanted onto damaged reefs. To create a coral nursery, ropes are strung between anchors, creating a grid-like structure. Coral fragments are then attached to the ropes which allows them to grow without being dislodged by waves or currents. As the coral grows and matures, the corals form a natural structure that provides a habitat for other marine life.

To minimize the environmental damage caused by ropes in coral restoration, ropes in Biodolomer@Ocean will be piloted to secure coral fragments, and because they break down naturally over time they will also be used to secure the grown coral fragments onto the reefs. The ropes in Biodolomer®Ocean, at the end of their lifetimes, will break down into biomass, water, and carbon dioxides. The KMFRI-supported project will monitor the growth and survival rates of the planted corals and the return of biodiversity for one year.