Funding Agency: Environmental Foundation of Jamaica
On Jamaican reefs, many once abundant coral species have been replaced by algae. Mortality of Acropora species of corals was particularly important in Environmental Foundation of Jamaica this transition. Less coral is available to provide the appropriate habitat for reef fishes or source material to maintain sandy beaches. Natural recovery through sexual reproduction is unlikely Experimental transplants are developing suitable methodology for restoring A. cervicornis populations in Jamaica. Continued inattention to the problem of degraded reefs will negatively impact our tourism industry, limit subsistence options for low income locals and increase the effects of coastal erosion. This study seeks to assess a new method of improving reef complexity, diversity and coral biomass to increase the abundance of fish populations for subsistence fishers, local or visiting divers and snorkelers.
The Coral Reef Recovery Project (CoRRP) seeks to facilitate reef recovery by deploying a new design of artificial reef module as the first component of a two-part strategy. The creation of suitable coral and fish settlement habitat combines with a second element - transplanting coral onto this artificial reef structure.
This project will be expanded to carry out the first two elements in the context of a no-fishing marine sanctuary within which the new artificial reef habitat can flourish due to increased herbivory levels from increased levels of fish protection. Monitoring will determine if supplying a low voltage electric current to these reefs and the culture and subsequent release into the sanctuary of target species of fishes and urchins can accelerate the process of coral growth, viable reef formation and increased fish biomass.
Ecopath/Ecospace modelling software will be used to determine the optimal parameters of sanctuary space, artificial reef area, numbers of fishes and urchins added that can be manipulated with a view to speeding the recovery of future coastal areas.
The project’s ultimate aim will be to accelerate the recovery of Jamaican coral reefs and involve the local community in the process.
