Asexual Coral Propagation Asexual Coral Propagation and Transplanting Imperiled and Transplanting Imperiled
Corals onto Reef Ball Corals onto Reef Ball Breakwaters for Breakwaters for
Snorkeling & additional Snorkeling & additional Wave Attenuation.Wave Attenuation.
For Cayman Marriott For Cayman Marriott Copyright, 2005 © Reef Ball Foundation, Inc.
RBF Volunteer Services RBF Volunteer Services DivisionDivision
The Volunteer services division of the Reef Ball Foundation works specifically with resorts that have Reef Balls to offer a partnership that typically has little or sometimes no “hard costs” for the resort to enable their Reef Balls to be fully transplanted with imperiled corals which is both a community service and an asset to the resort.
This is accomplished by combining coral experts from around the world with ecotourist paying volunteers to fund the project expenses. The resorts offer an attractive package of hotel services, typically in the off season, usually including room & board and scuba/boating support.
Ecotourist revenues usually are enough to pay for coral transplant supplies and their freight, expert airfares, and stipends for the expert team leaders. The more attractive the resort, its location, lead time and the package offered, the higher the revenues become thus minimizing RBF & the resorts out of pocket expenses.
Propagation & Transplant Propagation & Transplant System for Reef BallsSystem for Reef Balls
Minimize Underwater/Diver WorkMinimize Underwater/Diver Work Wide Range of Corals-Soft & HardWide Range of Corals-Soft & Hard Minimize CostsMinimize Costs Strong AttachmentStrong Attachment Simple enough for volunteers/indigenous Simple enough for volunteers/indigenous
work forces when supervisedwork forces when supervised Allow morphology changes-RelocateAllow morphology changes-Relocate No damage to natural reefs.No damage to natural reefs.
RB Adapter Plug SystemRB Adapter Plug System
Your Reef Balls already have built Your Reef Balls already have built into them coral attachment points into them coral attachment points
Coral PlugsCoral Plugs
Propagated or Transplanted Corals Propagated or Transplanted Corals embedded directly into Concrete embedded directly into Concrete plugsplugs
Works on nearly all hard corals and Works on nearly all hard corals and Gorgonian Corals found in CaymansGorgonian Corals found in Caymans
Plugs could be planted by GuestsPlugs could be planted by Guests Great photo opportunity for Great photo opportunity for
press/publicitypress/publicity
Ethics of Coral Ethics of Coral AquacultureAquaculture
•Start only with imperiled corals (A very small amount of corals are needed because they are propogated, not just transplanted)
• Local Species Only
•Suggest training of Government biologists as part of project
Ethics of Coral Ethics of Coral AquacultureAquaculture
•Start with small fragments, not adult colonies
•Transplant only within ranges of depth, current, visibility, temperature, etc. of selected species.
•Use best known practices
Ethics of Coral RestorationEthics of Coral Restoration
•Start only with imperiled corals unless selecting for traits requires propagation from mother colony.
•Species Diversity of Natural Reefs-all life, not just corals.
• Don’t transplant larger than fragment size if morphology at issue.
Coral Transplant & Coral Transplant & Propagation ProjectsPropagation Projects
•Volunteer Based Projects-Curocao-Pago Pago-Maldive Islands-Dominica-Antigua-Florida-Thailand (Post Tsunami)
-Planned: Stacia, Cancun, others
Coral Transplant & Coral Transplant & Propagation ProjectsPropagation Projects
•Research Based Projects
-Puerto Rico (Austin Kirby Bowden)-Sarasota (RBDG)-Ft. Lauderdale (Nova Southeastern)-Mustique, (Applied Marine Tech)-Dominica (Applied Marine Tech)-Baltic Sea (Marilym)
Coral Transplant & Coral Transplant & Propagation ProjectsPropagation Projects
•Additional Monitoring Based Projects
-Pago Pago (C.O.R.L.)- Maldives (4-Season Staff Biologist)-Curacao (Porto Maria Biologists)-Jacksonville High School -Turks & Caicos (Marsha Pardee)-F.I.T., SPARS, N.Z., HK, Oman,...
Photos-7 Months Progression Staghorn & Photos-7 Months Progression Staghorn & Elkhorn Corals-In AntiguaElkhorn Corals-In Antigua
•Photos-Snorkel Trail OptionsPhotos-Snorkel Trail OptionsSculptures, Layercakes, Etc.Sculptures, Layercakes, Etc.
Next StepsNext Steps
Hotel gives commitment to rooms, Hotel gives commitment to rooms, food, dive support, dates and permitsfood, dive support, dates and permits
Volunteer Services Division assesses Volunteer Services Division assesses offer and provides Hotel with full offer and provides Hotel with full proposal. proposal.
If hotel accepts, an (often) refundable If hotel accepts, an (often) refundable mobilization deposit is required and mobilization deposit is required and VSD springs into action.VSD springs into action.