Region 8 SUCs Asked to Study Coral Reefs Restoration

The Regional Development Council (RDC) has asked state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Eastern Visayas to conduct research on micro fragmentation technology for coral reefs restoration.

The destructive typhoons that struck the region from 2013 to 2015, which severely damaged coral reefs, justified the conduct of research, said Meylene Rosales, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional director and RDC vice-chairperson.

“Coral reefs also suffer from bleaching resulting from climate change and ocean acidification and causing coral reef exposure to disease, slower reproductive rates, and damaged reef cover,” Rosales said in an interview on Wednesday.

Citing studies on coral propagation through micro fragmentation, the official said that coral fragments grow 10 times faster than traditionally used larger fragments and develop to the desired size normally achieved in 100 years in just two years.

“Given the archipelagic feature of Eastern Visayas, there are SUCs in the region that are mandated to conduct research and development on marine diversity and marine ecosystem,” Rosales said.

The fragmentation technique, developed by Mote Tropical Research Laboratory based in Florida, USA, consists of breaking the corals into smaller pieces using a specialized saw. This stimulates the coral tissue to grow, allowing them to grow into clones at 25 to 50 times the normal growth rate.

The fragments are then placed in their shallow water tanks. After 4-12 months, the fully-grown corals are ready to be planted back into the ocean.

The RDC highlights coral reef conservation efforts in support of sustainable fishery production goals under the 2017-2022 Regional Development Plan. Often called the rainforests of the sea, coral reefs serve as a home of up to nine million marine species. (PNA)