The wind has finally abated and calm conditions have finally returned to the waters off Koh Tao. Eco Koh Tao took this opportunity to continue it’s propagation of coral fragments by setting up some more coral nurseries off Koh Tao.

The idea of developing a coral nursery is very similar to nurseries for plants were seeds or cuttings are ‘planted’ and grown to a healthy size before being replanted on a natural or alternative reef. The coral we plant are small fragments found on the sand in the surrounding area. Over time as the weather changes waves will roll these fragments around and they will die. We give these fragments a chance to persist by lifting them out of the sand and providing adequate substrate for them to grow and proliferate.

Beside our own artificial reef we are hoping to develop corals that once grown can be transplanted onto our own artificial structures and create something of biodiversity bank for the Mae Haad area itself. This could be important if pollution and nutrients continue unabated into the bay causing serious reef damage. Our reefs will provide coral that may help kick start a restoration project. Or maybe it can be the source of new corals for this years major island wide project Buoyancy World.

There is still much work to be done and this will be the start of many days out on our local reefs. Thank you to Debbie Gottdenker, Mark Freeman, Jon Robertson, Gili Back, Emma Andersson.