Technology to save coral - 14th May 2021

From Panama to Hong Kong to Cyprus, marine scientists and student volunteers are using new technology to help turn the tide on the decline of the Earth’s coral reefs.

With over 2,500 km of coastline, Panama is rich in coral reefs. Unfortunately, these fragile ecosystems have been significantly damaged over the years.

These bizarre looking structures are part of a programme called “Reef2Reef”.

Serving as coral nurseries, they provide corals with a base in which to develop.

In exchange for monitoring the corals and collecting data on their development, student volunteers gain valuable experience in fieldwork and increase their environmental awareness.

Across the Pacific in Hong Kong, 84 different species of coral reef can be found in the city’s waters. 3D printed tiles are laid out on the seafloor to help coral larvae build new homes.

PhD student and project participant Vriko Yu is heartened by recent developments.

Vriko Yu: "I still remember the first time we put down the tiles. There were a few fishes around the tiles and it was making me really excited. But this time, or even last time that we revisited the tiles, we can see there are a lot more groups of fishes, and different kinds of fishes.’’

University professor David Baker sees the potential benefits of state-run water purification schemes.

David Baker: "In my imagination, we think about climate change is happening, it's going to warm our waters considerably, but as we start to clean up the waters as well through various government initiatives, we might actually be creating a new potential home for corals as they try to escape climate change from equatorial regions."

In Cyprus, marine ecologist and researcher Louis Hadjioannou is all too aware of the impact of global warming.

Louis Hadjioannou: "In the year 2015 when we had an anomaly of I think it was one temperature higher [degree Celsius] than the maximum normal one, we got more than 20 to 30 percent of corals dying.”

While combating climate change requires a global effort, Louis is adamant that change must start closer to home.

Louis Hadjioannou: "Our aim is to primarily educate children, they are the future. They are the ones who are going to become the future conservationists, the future government, the future users of this island and the coastal area.”