Endangered reef replanting
Construction of artificial islands
The construction of artificial islands for new resorts has become an increasingly popular practice in the Maldives. The reason is the lack of available uninhabited islands in the most attractive tourist areas, that is, primarily near the capital, but also in the most interesting locations in terms of nature and diving opportunities.
An artificial island is created in the shallows, or in practice – on a kind of underwater island, covered with coral reefs. During the creation of the artificial island, huge, multi-hectare areas of the reef are covered with sand and irretrievably destroyed. In this way, we lose priceless, large and healthy corals that would take years to grow in our nursery. Therefore, we are convinced that it is worth taking all possible measures to save them.
We are starting a project to collect corals from areas to be buried and then replant them in new locations.
Building resorts on existing islands
When new resorts are built on existing islands, the degree of destruction of the coral reef is far less. Yet still, in the vast majority of cases, parts of the reef are damaged. This is especially true when it comes to building homes on the water, piers and harbors. All these works require interference with the seabed, hence usually some area of the reef is destroyed.
We are in discussions with the Maldivian side to implement appropriate regulations to force developers to replant the reef before the works begin. However, until such regulations become effective, we can only conduct the project-based activities at our own expense.
Construction of ports and piers on local islands
Furthermore, some works destroying the coral reef are also carried out on local islands. In particular, the above refers to port construction. In this case, we will be asking the construction companies running these projects and the local administration of the respective islands for permission to grant us access to the project site in advance so that we may collect the corals for replantation in the new location.
Founds for the reef replanting
We are currently working to raise funds that will allow us to purchase or rent a boat suitable for transporting coral and to purchase specialized tools for underwater works. This is a huge logistical and financial undertaking, so the scale of our efforts to replant the endangered reef will depend on the level of funding we can raise. Until now, we have financed all of the activities of the Coral Mission with our own funds, but currently the undertaking is beyond our means.
We would like to ask you for financial support – every donation, even the smallest one, will help us to continue our work. If you want to get involved in coral reef conservation – please help!
We are currently working to raise funds that will allow us to purchase or rent a boat suitable for transporting coral and to purchase specialized tools for underwater works. This is a huge logistical and financial undertaking, so the scale of our efforts to replant the endangered reef will depend on the level of funding we can raise. Until now, we have financed all of the activities of the Coral Mission with our own funds, but currently the undertaking is beyond our means.
We would like to ask you for financial support – every donation, even the smallest one, will help us to continue our work. If you want to get involved in coral reef conservation – please help!
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