[Coral-List] Coral Reef Restoration?

Don Baker reefpeace at yahoo.com
Thu May 1 18:00:08 EDT 2008


Coral-List Members

Though this subject may have been discussed in the past herein this List, I think its important to clarify as to what "Coral Reef Restoration" actually means.

We read a plethora of programs, proposals, projects, and perhaps 'environmental pipe dreams' about 'undertaking coral reef restoration.'  But what are the successes, the real accomplishments out in the real world and not within someone's book, magazine article, or grant write up?

Can we actually restore a reef?   How many square miles can we restore?

Will coral farming seedling rejects add to a restoration area?  Do Reef Balls help at all in the big picture or only as highly localized cosmetic, band-aid ecosystem touch ups.  

Where is the real and present data that substantiates any successful coral reef restoration endeavor?  I am not referring to MPA establishment.  I am referring to actual coral transplants, re-plants, etc.

Can we actually restore a coral reef?  Or will 'mother nature' take care of its own and restore if human affections are eliminated?

In short, I think we need to be very careful whenever we 'use' the concept of coral reef restoration in any of our write ups, project drafts,  and grant proposals.

Don







Alternate Email: donbjr95 at hotmail.com

"Dedication and motivated direction in achieving specific goals related to the care and protection of living things is not necessarily a guaranteed formula for success.  Success is, more often than not, a direct result of a person’s passion in addition to the above formula." [Don Baker, Marine Conservationist/Activist, 1998]
       
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