VIANI BAY’S CORAL NURSERY
Iain our coral planting instructor.
Coral reefs are an important part of our ecosystem. Coral reefs hold over 25% of the ocean’s marine life, they absorb one-third of the carbon dioxide produced, generate over half of the world’s oxygen, provide over half a billion people with food, along with providing protection for communities from cyclones; this, in particular, is becoming a reoccurring event with climate change, especially in Fiji.
In our time in Fiji, we have been out snorkelling many times. We have seen an amazing amount of healthy coral, however also a lot of bleached and dead coral. The dying coral is mainly due to the rising sea temperatures from global warming. However, overfishing, wastewater runoff and pollution all contribute also. Over 19% of coral all around the world has died already.
Another effect of global warming is the increase in the severity of natural disasters, like cyclones in Fiji. They destroy anything in their path, including coral reefs. An example of this is Cyclone Winston that hit Fiji in 2016. Winston, with its gusts of up 315 km/h, created major damage in Fiji’s communities and natural environments. The Rainbow Reef in Fiji’s Somosomo Strait got hit by Winston and only now they are seeing coral regrowing back, five years later. It is predicted that there will be a category five cyclone every five years from now on… so how is that going to affect Fiji’s communities and ecosystem?
The Dive Academy’s ‘Home Reef’ located by Tivi Island in Viani Bay.
Jone Waitaiti and Marina Walser from the Dive Academy Fiji in Viani Bay are doing their part for protecting coral reefs, working with the elements they can control. They are located close to the Rainbow Reef which is one of Fiji’s most well-known reefs for both reef diversity and diving. However, like other reefs, it is still affected by the changes in the environment and human impact.
As plastic pollution is a part of the damage to coral reefs, Jone decided to create an initiative called ‘Clean-up Taveuni’. Taveuni is directly opposite Viani Bay, so the rubbish that was on the beaches on Taveuni would get picked up with the oceans current and end up in Viani Bay. Through organised beach clean-ups on Taveuni and educating the community, Taveuni plastic polluted beaches have significantly improved due to Jone’s work throughout the community and his passion for the environment. When we were in Viani Bay, there was no plastic floating around even when the wind changed around! We had a huge appreciation for this, given what we have seen elsewhere in Fiji.
Another one of their initiatives is their coral replanting programme. They have educated the community about the effect of overfishing on the biodiversity of the coral reefs and oceans. Lead by Jone, they have come up with an agreement that there is a ‘no-fishing’ zone in Viani Bay, giving their coral replanting programme the best chance it can have to grow. The Academy is also involving the school by educating them about the ocean through documentaries and hands-on experiences, like planting coral in the coral nursery. This proves that education can make an impact!
We were lucky to have a tour around the nursery and get to plant our own coral. There are four steps main steps in the coral replanting process:
The coral is collected: Coral that has fallen onto the seafloor has no chance of surviving and over time, it turns back into sand. They replant coral that has fallen on the seafloor that is collected through their scuba and freediving expeditions. They have also set up a coral nursery, where they grow a variety of coral from a young age. Once it has grown and matured, they replant it in their ‘Home Reef’.
Scrubbing the surface: Coral cannot grow on a surface that is not ‘clean’, we used a scrubbing brush to scrub the area the coral will grow on. This makes sure it has as much chance of survival as it can and eventually breed and grow.
Placing the coral: The chosen area for the coral to grow is where there is space for it to grow among the other coral that has been planted previously.
Cementing the coral: Balls of cement are used to cement the coral in place. This means there is a firm base for the coral to stay put and not fall back onto the sandy seafloor.
After planting coral ourselves, we got to have a look around the other coral that has had the chance to grow and the wildlife that have come back to the area. The Dive Academy has plans to continue growing their ‘Home Reef’. Check out my video of the coral planting process and see the growing reef!
Thank you to Jone and Marina from the Dive Academy Fiji and Fiji Sea Salts for the awesome experience of coral planting. I look forward to coming back and seeing the development of the nursery. It is wonderful and inspiring to see people making a real impact!