Coral Restoration in the Dominican Republic

• Four coral nursery structures were built using metal wire mesh; concrete blocks were used as anchors. Metal frames were covered with resin to delay rust. Heavy-duty tie raps were used to secure frames to blocks. These nurseries were placed in sandy bottom areas in 30 feet of water depth at coordinates 18°26'18.96"N, 69°41'6.18"W. Fragments were transported wrapped in wet paper towels and inside coolers. Once frames were in place, collected coral fragments from the Punta Cana coral nursery were attached to the frames using tie-raps. Some fragments (A. palmatta) collected at Fronton beach, Samana, were secured to cement “cookies”, which were then secured to the frames using tie raps.
• Four metal frames coral nurseries were built and placed in Las Terrenas (NE DR) at coordinates 19°19'38.86"N and 69°30'51.05"W, as a duplicate for La Caleta MPA nursery. This coral nursery is an initiative financed by Balcones del Atlántico Hotel (Rock Resorts), which is supporting some of the marine conservation activities of Reef Check DR. The objective of this nursery is to share coral fragments between these two locations to distribute any risks and potential damages to either one.
• One rope coral nursery was built during the training workshop conducted in Punta Cana during April 2012. Due to storms during the 2012 and later availability of coral fragments from the Punta Cana nursery, this nursery will be placed in the water at La Caleta MPA during March 2013. It is estimated that this rope nursery can hold approximately 150 A. cervicornis fragments.
• Two PVC frames nursery for A. palmata were built during January 2013, and will be placed in the water in Las Terrenas during March 2013. It is estimated that these PVC nursery can hold approximately 75 A. palmata fragments each.

• Coral Restoration in DR Progress Report (DOCX)

Report #1 (July 9-September 30, 2012)