Coral ‘factories’ are a bet to multiply reefs – 11/18/2023 – Environment

As true condominiums immersed in the water, coral reefs play a fundamental role as shelter for marine species — 65% of the sea’s fish are found there. Ensuring the preservation, reproduction and recovery of these living beings threatened by climate change has become a challenge for environmentalists.

On the coast of Pernambuco, tanks in laboratories and “factories” at the bottom of the sea have become refuges for creating corals that are then transferred to other points on the Northeast coast.

In Brazil, corals occupy around 3,000 km along the coast. Just from the south of Bahia to Maranhão, they are in a space of approximately 170 km^two.

One of the country’s marine environmental protection areas is located in Tamandaré, on the south coast of Pernambuco, 104 km from Recife. The city is also home to Cepene (Northeast Marine Biodiversity Research and Conservation Center), where biologists and oceanographers work to monitor local biodiversity.

Called the Costa dos Corais Environmental Protection Area, it is the largest federal coastal marine conservation unit in Brazil, founded in 1997. Its area is more than 4,000 km^twoalong 120 km of beaches and mangroves.

“Before, the situation was one of uncontrolled use, tourism and fishing. A year before the creation of the closed area, we had the first strong coral bleaching in the area”, says oceanographer Mauro Maida, from the Federal University of Pernambuco. Bleaching, which has been accelerated by the warming of the oceans, is the process most feared by experts, as the loss of color indicates an imbalance that can lead to the death of corals.

In addition to climate change, the risks to corals come from sea pollution, disorderly tourism, predatory fishing, real estate speculation and invasive species. According to the IPCC (UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), up to 90% of the world’s coral reefs could be lost by 2050.

“We have already proposed [ao ICMBio, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade] a new decree to expand the protection area to cover new breeding areas”, says Maida.

A Sheet dove into the waters of the conservation unit. To do this, a boat carries out the transport for around 15 minutes, at a distance of around 1.5 km from the sand strip.

The dive, carried out with the support of oxygen cylinders and professional divers, at a depth of five meters, allows a clear view of the reefs, with countless species of fish, algae and even the exotic sea urchin.

Coral reefs connect through a calcium carbonate skeleton. Brazil has more than 60 species of coral, some of which are exclusive to the country. Part of these ecosystems is protected by 21 marine conservation units, one of which is Tamandaré.

On a daily basis, the space is used by researchers, students, tour operators and tourists.

One of the characteristics of coral reefs is the filtration of seawater, which helps to improve its quality. For these and other benefits they bring, a recent study, published by Sheetpoints out that coral reefs generate up to R$167 billion for Brazil.

This weight in the economy, calculated by researchers, takes into account, among other points, the role they play in coastal protection and promoting tourism. The unprecedented survey was carried out by the Boticário Group Foundation for Nature Protection.

At Cepene’s headquarters, in Tamandaré, one of the rooms houses water reservoirs with segmented structures to support coral reproduction under temperature control — with air conditioning turned on at around 30°C. Specific groups are grouped separately to facilitate reproduction.

The water tanks are supplied with tap water. A water outlet on each unit allows for constant irrigation.

The color is also observed, as it is an indication of the health of the corals, which remain at this stage for approximately two to three months. When they are at the right time, they are transported to Porto de Galinhas, on the south coast of Pernambuco. If they are white, there is a sign of degradation and greater need for recovery.

The project, called Biofábrica de Corais, operates as a biotechnology and reef ecosystem restoration startup with activities concentrated in Porto de Galinhas, a resort in Ipojuca (PE).

The person in charge of the space is Venezuelan María Gabriela Moreno, who left her home country six years ago to work on the coast of Pernambuco.

So-called coral breeding farms are submerged in the sea itself, but are visible via snorkeling at the surface because of the clear water. For tourists, the cost of visiting the place with a dive ranges from R$200 to R$1,300, depending on the type of activity.

The floating laboratories receive pieces of coral found on the seabed that are planted in “cradles”, structures made of biodegradable materials. Each species has a specific “cradle” to facilitate adaptation.

The tables are made of PVC tubes. From this, corals develop. In case of any failure during the journey, the researchers pick up the animal and take it to boats that rest on the surface for support with any adjustments to the formation.

If successful, as happens in most cases, the corals expand and new reefs are established on the seabed after three months, using the initially improvised structures.

“Recovery happens after the creation of areas with healthy corals. For corals with comorbidities and more fragile health, recovery becomes more difficult”, says Maida.

The space also receives tourists, who can travel on rafts on Porto de Galinhas beach. The recommendation is not to touch corals underwater, especially to avoid possible infections or burns, in the case of fire coral, nor to feed them to fish.

Tourists can also participate in the coral recovery work, helping to place pieces found on the seabed in “cradles”.

More than 2,000 fragments have already been recovered by the project. Currently, 5,300 seedlings are being cultivated in Porto de Galinhas and Tamandaré. The goal is to reach 6,000 by the end of 2023.

“By 2024, we want to double this number or even reach 15 thousand corals. Precisely for this, we are improving the infrastructure and training local people to contribute to us”, says Moreno.

A boat serves as a base and is located in the region of the breeding farms with volunteers who help with cutting and placing coral fragments in breeding cradles. Raft driver Carlos Silva, 52, who has worked in Porto de Galinhas for over 25 years, is one of those who became aware of the cause.

For oceanographer Amanda Albano, from the company Bloom (partner of Fundação Grupo Boticário in the study of corals), in addition to the initiatives already underway, medium and long-term projects for the production of scientific knowledge and monitoring are necessary.

“We need to have more information and data, sometimes more urgent, for a faster response, so that the country can make decisions for this asset on our coast”, he says.

Janaína Bumbeer, project manager at Fundação Grupo Boticário, emphasizes that coral reefs are not specifically considered in public policies.

“A national and brief policy is needed for them. I believe there is a lack of understanding of its importance on the part of decision makers, it is still something distant for many people, as it is something important for the economy and the health of the country itself”, he highlights.

_{The report traveled at the invitation of the Boticário Group Foundation for Nature Protection.}