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Reef Rehabilitation Reef Rehabilitation
coral reefs.
By Gordon Feller Indonesian reefs are diverse in physical structure - ranging
from fringing reefs to atolls to barrier reefs. They are also
It is the oceans challenge of our time: to protect diverse in biological community structure, supporting an
and sustainably manage unique coral ecosystems. unparalleled array of coral species reef fish, mollusks,
Several innovative strategies are being used in crustaceans, and associated fauna and flora. Despite the
Indonesia to help coral reefs recover and repair, biological diversity and wealth of Indonesian coral reef
which could potentially be applied throughout the ecosystems, they are at increasing risk from a combination
Pacific Islands. of factors. Paramount is climate change, and ever-escalating
Indonesia’s coral reefs are among the most diverse atmospheric carbon dioxide levels which lead to warming
in the world. They are widely considered to be at and acidifying ocean waters. Add to this mix a host of local
the epicenter of marine biodiversity, in the heart of stressors associated with increased population pressure,
the Coral Triangle. Second in size only to the Great development pressure, destructive and over-fishing, pollution
Barrier Reef in total area, Indonesia reefs span and invasive species.
an area of some 2.6 million hectares (or One of the most successful approaches is the Mars Assisted
26,000 square kilometers), or Reef Restoration System (MARRS).
about 10% of the world’s This system includes attachng coral fragments to a network
of ‘reef stars’, hexagonal structures made from locally
sourced steel using a network of "Reef Stars" - hexagonal
structures made from locally sourced steel.
Research shows that within 4 years, coral cover, colony size,
and reef carbonate budget have tripled using this method,
matching the growth rate of undamaged reefs.
Another innovative approach being used in Indonesia is the
coral spider technique. This Involves installing man-made
"spiderwebs" onto which new corals are grafted. It uses
lightweight cast-iron rods welded into hexagonal shapes. The
technique is low-cost, with readily available materials and
easy construction. Frames are latched onto existing reefs with
plastic cable ties. It has shown real success in small-scale
projects for restoring reefs damaged by blast fishing.
These strategies could be adapted for use throughout the
Pacific Islands in several ways:
• Capacity building: Establish a network of competent reef
restoration practitioners across the region.
• Community involvement: Engage local communities and
volunteers in coral gardening efforts, maintaining coral
nurseries and assisting in out-planting activities.
• Tailored approaches: Adapt restoration methods to specific
local conditions and needs, as demonstrated by projects in
places like Kupang Bay.
• Integration with marine protected areas: Implement
restoration projects within existing MPAs to enhance overall
reef resilience.
• Collaboration: Foster partnerships between NGOs,
government agencies, and private sector entities to support
restoration efforts.
• Training and education: Develop online and in-person
training modules on reef restoration best practices, tailored
to the Pacific Island context.
• Larval restoration: Incorporate techniques like collecting or
producing coral larvae in laboratories to enhance natural
coral recruitment.
• Climate change adaptation: Focus on selecting and
propagating heat-tolerant coral species to improve reef
resilience to rising ocean temperatures.
Islands Business, November 2024 41
