Larval propagation to assist the recovery and resilience of Bonaire coral populations in the face of new diseases and environmental changes
In the face of climate change and increasing pressure on our reefs, finding ways to increase the strength of coral populations and assist their recovery is paramount. Although some reefs in Bonaire still feature beautiful coral patches, some areas show visible signs of degradation. For this reason, it’s important to rear larvae of key coral species, as genetic recombination could yield new strains that are better adapted to cope with changing environmental conditions. Reef Renewal Bonaire (RRFB) assisted the sexual reproduction of several coral species by propagating thousands of genetically unique coral settlers, which have been outplanted to the reefs or added to the genetic stock of RRFB’s nurseries. The project was possible thanks to the establishment of key partnerships and the involvement of local dive operators and volunteers, who had the opportunity to experience the coral propagation process firsthand and its crucial role in reef preservation.