VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING THE DECR IN RESTORING THE CORAL REEFS IN GRAND TURK

GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Thursday, February 28, 2008 – Biorock® Artificial Reef Coral Transplantation took place earlier this month. The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) along with Oasis Divers, Grand Turk Diving and 26 volunteers participated in relocating corals from a dive site South of the Cruise Center to the artificial reefs in Grand Turk waters.

Since the construction of the Grand Turk Cruise Center, Carnival Corporation have worked closely with the DECR and Oasis Divers in monitoring and improving some areas of coral in our waters.  Many scientific studies have shown that one of the most effective ways of restoring stressed coral reefs is with the use of Biorock® technology.  Corals have been shown to grow 3-5 times faster and recover from bleaching where they may not have done so in previous conditions.

There are two reef systems currently under construction by the DECR, one is just offshore from Oasis' South Base shop and has 4 structures in place.  The other reef is just outside the swim area offshore, adjacent to the Governor's Beach and has 6 structures; small red buoys demarcate both.  Together with Carnival Corporation other technologies are also being investigated for Grand Turk such as Reef Balls.

The system works by first deploying underwater, a framework structure made up of construction grade steel to which a positively charged cathode and a negatively charged anode are attached.  A low voltage electric current, which is safe for swimmers, runs between them causing white limestone, calcium carbonate, to crystallize from seawater onto the framework.

Stressed, bleached and damaged corals are attached to the reef using simple steel tie wire.  Within a few days there is clear evidence of mineral accretion on the wires and a marked difference in the fish population is observed.

The benefits to the corals transplanted to the Biorock® reefs are vast, they have been shown to grow 3-5 times faster and also heal up to 20 times quicker as they no longer have to expend so much energy creating their own limestone.  The areas of corals that have previously been bleached or stressed are monitored closely to observe these areas for signs of improvement in health status and growth rate over time.

Another significant factor is that the corals can survive after constant exposure to higher temperatures, 16-50 times more than corals, which are of natural setting.  This is particularly important as we here in the TCI and by extension the Caribbean are faced with the eminent issue of temperature rise due to Global warming.

These reefs attract incredible numbers of fish and therefore make fascinating snorkel sites, especially as they are in shallow water close to the Grand Turk Cruise Center and Governor's Beach.  Local volunteers assisting in coral transplantation from damaged sites has made the projects here highly successful and are continually growing and enhancing the naturally beautiful reefs of Grand Turk.

On February 16th over 300 corals were transplanted onto the Biorock® reefs.  The DECR wish to extend their gratitude to all involved for their assistance.  A very particular thank you to Oasis Divers and Grand Turk Diving for the loan of their boat and staff and ever ready assistance from them and Grand Turk Cruise Center.  This project would not have been possible otherwise.

DECR are trying to make this a monthly activity with mini ones in between for the wiring on so the next one is planned for March.  Some parts of the operation are less glamorous than others so we really want to thank you all.  If you would like to learn more about Biorock® reefs visit www.globalcoral.org and if you would like to assist in the underwater operations please contact LDWells@gov.tc.

A few volunteers were rewarded for their assistance in restoring the reefs with the appearance of two humpback whales.  They surfaced next to the boat and allowed four snorkellers to get very close to them.  The DECR would like to remind whale watchers that all marine life should never be touched and not to bring any boat closer than 300 feet to a whale, unless the whale swims to you, and to cut the engines when in close proximity.

END

Courtney S. Robinson
Director, GIS
Office of the Premier,
Grand Turk,
Turks and Caicos Islands.
Tel: (649) 946-2801, ext.40916
Fax: (649) 946-1311
Email: c.robinson@gov.tc