Reefs around the globe are threatened by human activities, and many scientists feel that much of the world’s reefs could be lost in the next 100 years. Like many parts of the world, the economy on Koh Tao is reliant upon our natural reef areas and the visitors they bring.

With these two facts in mind, Marine Conservation Koh Tao & Eco Koh Tao has made a goal of researching and constructing coral nurseries around the island.

Recent Coral Nursry Updates (PDF Files)
Coral Nursery Report - July 2011
February 2011 - Coral Nursries Provide Transplants for Artifical Reef

Coral nurseries provide a diversity bank for new corals to grow and regenerate from. With increasing pressure from global warming and climate change reef restoration techniques and projects are developing a renewed urgency.

Since 2007 we have been actively involved in developing a number of different coral nurseires as part of our many reef restoration and rehabilitation activities.

We have tried a few different methods and had varying degrees of success with all methods.

This was one of our first nurseries at Junkyard Reef in Mae Haad

2010 was a special year. Extreme temperatures, low tides and intense solar radiation for abnormally extended periods combined to place enormous pressure on this small island. These conditions lead to extensive coral bleaching.

When corals are stressed by these conditions the balance between coral polyps and symbiotic algae is upset, and the Zooxanthallae is expelled from the coral leaving it a ghostly white – Bleached coral. If the algae don’t return the coral will die.

Bleaching was extensive in 2010, with all reefs around the island affected. During the early part of summer, through April and May, there was little respite and large amounts of coral bleached. It was almost as if a blanket of snow had settled on the reef.

In 2010 in conjunction with the Save Koh Tao Group, the DMCR (Department of Marine and Coastal Resources) and the Prince of Songkhla university 7 coral nursries were established around Koh Tao under the Save Koh Tao Groups 'Adopt-a-reef' program. We at Eco Koh Tao and Crystal Dive have adopted 2 sites being responsible for Mae Haad and Twins. In September 2010 we established coral nurseires in both of these locations to help following that years extensive bleaching.

With our coral nurseries we hope to build a bank of biodiversity and resilience to withstand. We are looking into which corals survive better and trying to promote these for future projects. In this way, with our changing environment we may be better suited assist the reef manage the changes.

We have many divers involved with our coral nurseries with coral nursries and associated Reef Restoration techniques being an integral part of our Marine Resource Management program.

A diver examines newly planted coral fragments.

A diver brings a tray of newly planted coral fragments over to the coral tables to settle.

Tying ropes on for our rope nursery, one of the most successful methods we have found to date on Koh Tao.