Coral Restoration in the Dominican Republic

During this period, a total of $437.14 was received in donations from 13 donors, 4 of the recurring. We thank them all for their support.

Nursery Location: Las Galeras

Last Monitoring Visit: December 10^th
Next Planned Visit: May 2020
Status: Some coral fragments have died due to rough seas conditions as cold fronts moved in the north coast.

Nursery Location: Las Terrenas
Last Monitoring Visit: January 26^th
Next Planned Visit: February 2020
Status: A new coral nursery was installed in front of El Portillo Residences to start an adopt-a-coral program with properties owners. This nursery would serve as part of the current snorkeling trail.

Nursery Location: Montecristi
Last Monitoring Visit: January 31^st
Next Planned Visit: June 2020
Status: Poor water conditions rain runoff and also rough seas conditions as cold fronts moved in the north coast caused mortality in this coral nursery. A new location is being scouted.

Nursery Location: Bayahibe

Last Monitoring Visit: October 2019

Next Planned Visit: January 2020

Status: The Bayahibe rope nurseries are regularly maintained by our local partners Coral Point Diving, with the staghorn coral colonies continuing to thrive.

Nursery Location: Palmar de Ocoa

Last Monitoring Visit: October 2019

Next Planned Visit: January 2020

Status: The rope nurseries were cleaned, nursery operation continues as usual with our local partner Rebecca Garcia

Nursery Location: Las Galeras

Last Monitoring Visit: May 20^th

Next Planned Visit: January 2020

Status: Coral fragments continue to grow, a re-fragmentation is needed or the next visit.

Nursery Location: Boca Chica

Last Monitoring Visit: Oct 4^th

Next Planned Visit: January 2020

Status: A group of employees from EXPEDIA GROUP joined our efforts to install a new coral nursery built from cement, given the recent bleaching event in the south coast, no coral fragments were attached.

Nursery Location: Montecristi

Last Monitoring Visit: September 21^st

Next Planned Visit: January 2020

Status: Our newest nursery, installed in collaboration with the Dominican Fisheries Consortium and Galleon Divers. Torrential rains made it difficult to locate or work on the coral nursery given very poor visibility.

Nursery Location: Bayahibe

Last Monitoring Visit: May 21^st

Next Planned Visit: October 7^th

Status: The Bayahibe rope nurseries are regularly maintained by our local partners Coral Point Diving, with the staghorn coral colonies continuing to thrive.

Nursery Location: Palmar de Ocoa

Last Monitoring Visit: June 8^th, August 29^th

Next Planned Visit: October 12^th

Status: The rope nurseries were cleaned, some of the large colonies were pruned, and the fragments attached to the rocky bottom as an experiment. A reef cleanup was also conducted with volunteers.

Nursery Location: Las Galeras

Last Monitoring Visit: May 20^th

Next Planned Visit: September 12^th

Status: We visited the nursery with a team of young biologists both Dominican and from the US to supervise the growth of the coral colonies. Local partners regularly visit the site and keep algae down, reflected in excellent health for the corals.

Nursery Location: Boca Chica

Last Monitoring Visit: June 10^th

Next Planned Visit: September 16^th

Status: The corals in the Boca Chica lagoon continue to grow strong, aided by the crystal-clear waters and good water circulation. However, fire worm predation is a concern, after several colonies were attacked and developed infection. These colonies were promptly removed by our local partners.

Nursery Location: Montecristi

Last Monitoring Visit: June 28^th

Next Planned Visit: September 2^nd

Status: Our newest nursery, installed in collaboration with the Dominican Fisheries Consortium and Galleon Divers. Last year the Montecristi site was lost to strong winter tides. Lessons were learned, and we expect our corals will thrive in this new location.

Nursery Location: Bayahibe

Last Monitoring Visit: February 11^th

Next Planned Visit: May 21^st

Status: The dive operator Coral Point Diving continues to report positive trends on the staghorn coral fragments in the Bayahibe nursery. Boat traffic is a concern on this particular site.

Nursery Location: Palmar de Ocoa

Last Monitoring Visit: April 8^th

Next Planned Visit: June 9^th

Status: Fragments from the older ropes have been moved to the newer rope nursery and additional buoys have been added. Fragments continue to thrive in these midwater nurseries.

Nursery Location: Las Galeras

Last Monitoring Visit: February 25^th

Next Planned Visit: May 20^th

Status: Under the watchful care of Las Galeras Divers the corals placed on the new frames are growing healthy. Macroalgae pressure is high but this site benefits form constant care by our local partners.

Nursery Location: Pedernales

Last Monitoring Visit: February 12^th

Next Planned Visit: TBD

Status: Unseasonal strong swells destroyed the two frame nurseries in Cabo Rojo. Local partner recommends new location before reconstruction. As soon new area is found reconstruction will take place.

Nursery Location: Boca Chica

Last Monitoring Visit: January 21^st

Next Planned Visit: May 6^th

Status: Staghorn corals in the pyramid nurseries continue to adapt to the new shallow conditions in the lagoon. Initial bleaching due to shock is now receding, without colony mortality. The structures and the nearby domes are home to a multitude of juvenile fish.

Nursery Location: Bayahibe

Last Monitoring Visit: November 18^th

Next Planned Visit: February 11^th

Status: The rope nurseries in Bayahibe continue to be maintained by the staff of Coral Point Diving, our local partner, near the area where they conduct their confined water exercises for beginner divers.

Nursery Location: Palmar de Ocoa

Last Monitoring Visit: January 17^th

Next Planned Visit: April 8^th

Status: The colonies growing on the rope nurseries continue to grow exceedingly well on the Ocoa bay. Siltation has not been a problem, macroalgae are abundant but under control, but the ropes are almost at the point of needing replacement because of corrosion.

Nursery Location: Las Galeras

Last Monitoring Visit: December 16^th

Next Planned Visit: February 25^th

Status: Three new frame nurseries were installed at the site of the previous one with better fittings to resist the storms. Fragments from the old colonies now on the reef were collected and attached to the new structures. With the help of Las Galeras Divers, the nursery continues to thrive.

Nursery Location: Pedernales

Last Monitoring Visit: December 10^th

Next Planned Visit: March 18^th

Status: Local partner reports more fragment mortality than desired for the location. Nursery relocation is being considered Remoteness of the location makes maintenance logistically difficult.

Nursery Location: Boca Chica

Last Monitoring Visit: December 7th

Next Planned Visit: January 21^st

Status: The dome nursery with finger coral is now home to dozens of small fish, three pyramid nurseries were deployed near the seagrass bed in the lagoon and were seeded with staghorn coral fragments.