[Coral-List] article on restoration

[International Coral Reef Observatory]

Dear all,

Considering the last sentence of Austin´s message, certainly it is the time
for reflection
and for changing the paradigm leading by example with effective actions
against climate change and local induced impacts to coral reefs.

We need all coral reefs in effective MPAs that do not allow wastewater
discharges into the sea, dredging, mass tourism, pollution, habitat loss by
direct destruction or blue wash restoration.

In the Caribbean, we have current reports of more than 12 weeks with
temperatures above 30 Degrees Celsius and coral bleaching. In recent days,
temperatures are going down and corals retrieve microalgae in
resilient coral reefs that have not had strong local impacts. During the
heat stress, restoration based on breaking coral colonies was advised to be
stopped to avoid further cumulative stress. e.g. Recent video report from
Alex Cuervo, Diving Instructor volunteer observer at ICRO
https://youtu.be/Tis-dRzcVtA?si=9-bqZ-dwMjtKjd_o

The point is to act and invest at all levels to avoid further coral reef
degradation. Global issues and the local threats are synergetic for the
destruction of coral reefs. For instance, explosions on coral reefs for
enlarging navigation channels kill all coral faster, moreover when large
cruises pass everyday nearby the remaining corals. Even worse when
cruises wash their sewage on or near coral reefs and carry ballast water
across the region and may pass to other regions. Case study: Nat Geo Quest
crossing the Panama Channel to the Pacific region after visiting coral
reefs in the Caribbean Sea.

Happy holidays to all,

Nohora Galvis
Director
International Coral Reef Observatory, ICRO
ICRS World Reef Award
https://twitter.com/ICR_Observatory/
http://Facebook.com/ICRObservatory/
Instagram.com/ICR_Observatory/


El lun, 11 dic 2023 a las 10:44, Austin Bowden-Kerby via Coral-List (<
coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>) escribió:

> Correction to my letter: I am one among several old timers who have been
> doing coral restoration for >30 years.
>
> Again: Has the mass coral die off in the Atlantic and Caribbean swept away
> most of the restoration and conservation progress made these past 30
> years?   Is everything in chaos and disarray with the mass die off that
> just happened?  Or are there any positive lessons learned, and is there
> hope and a way forward?  Seriously- where are we going from here, if past
> efforts mostly failed?
>
> First we need to know the facts, as it has implications for the rest of the
> world's coral reefs.
> Please, can the various field workers report the estimated mortalities and
> outcomes of the recent marine heat wave to the list ?
> What is the estimated percent of wild corals and restored corals which have
> died?  All species equally, or are some resistant?  Were some reefs less
> impacted?  Is the mortality patchy between reefs, or uniform everywhere and
> at all depths?  And lastly what remains?  This can all be preliminary
> estimations.
>
> I am proposing a way forward in my paper to help keep corals alive and in
> the field over the coming decades.  Is anyone willing to argue in support
> or against these strategies?  And if you disagree with them, do you have a
> better idea on what is the best way forward?
> This is important, as without a unified vision, we are lost.
>
> We need to develop a systematic and coordinated strategy to wage an
> effective war on climate change impacts to coral reefs.  Certainly MPAs and
> clean waters are not enough, and restoration as practiced in the past
> appears to have mostly failed.  If so, this is the time for self reflection
> and for changing the paradigm.
>
> Regards,
>
> Austin
>
> Austin Bowden-Kerby, PhD
> Corals for Conservation
> P.O. Box 4649 Samabula, Fiji Islands