Project Report
| Aug 23, 2022
New lab for Coral microfragmentation!
By Rebecca Garcia / Ainhoa Leon / Toni Barletta | Project Leaders
![Coral colony - Montastrea Cavernosa in the new lab]()
Coral colony - Montastrea Cavernosa in the new lab
On July 2022 our Center of Marine Innovation finalized installations for our new lab for coral microfragmentation. This facility holds seven tanks with closed water circulation in order to have the best condition for coral growth. Water parameters are being monitored with the Apex system to ensure that everything is stable 24/7.
Recently, the marine operation team brought 40 coral colonies that were dislodged on the reef using them as coral of opportunity to be fragmented and outplanted in the near future. Corals in this facility go through a process of quarantine before being cut in case that there is any disease or coral predator present. After two weeks they are cut into microfragments with a diamond cutting machine and placed onto other tanks to be stabilized. At the same time, plots are being marked with buoys on the outplant sites for us to monitor overall coral growth and survival with 3D imagery.
We currently have 959 microfragments in the lab and 18 plots marked, to have these reefs ready for outplanting.
![Staff monitoring corals in the new lab.]()
Staff monitoring corals in the new lab.
![Coral microfragments in the new lab]()
Coral microfragments in the new lab
![Coral of opportunity taken from the reef]()
Coral of opportunity taken from the reef
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Apr 25, 2022
New domes for coral restoration and marine fauna habitat.
By Rebecca Garcia / Ainhoa Leon / Toni Barletta | Project Leaders
![Coral gardener supervising volunteers]()
Coral gardener supervising volunteers
At the Center of Marine Innovation, domes where made and placed underwater to serve as outplanting structure for branching coral species like Acropora cervicornis. Twenty structures were deployed with a total of 400 corals outplanted. This will serve as a habitat for fish and other marine critters.
Corals where outplanted with our citizen science program which involves recreational divers, so that they can learn and help in coral restoration. This program allows our fishermen to teach others their techniques in coral conservation, which provides them with new skills for the future. Our personnel also use their new PADI diving certification in Rescue to be more aware of volunteers and keep everyone safe.
The goal of this program is to create patches of reefs with a wide variety of fish, train volunteers in marine conservation techniques, and help our coral gardeners into becoming leaders in coral restoration.
![Volunteers in action / Pictures: Andres Miolan]()
Volunteers in action / Pictures: Andres Miolan
![Attaching Acropora cervicornis to dome structure.]()
Attaching Acropora cervicornis to dome structure.
![Finalized dome structure with Acropora cervicornis]()
Finalized dome structure with Acropora cervicornis
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Dec 16, 2021
Diving and safety courses for our Local Fishermen and a new study for coral disease.
By Rebecca Garcia / Ainhoa Leon / Toni Barletta | Project Leaders
![Rescue Course]()
Rescue Course
The local fishermen working at the Center of Marine Innovation have started taking scuba diving courses with PADI. We have one new Open Water diver, one Advanced Open Water and two other members taking the Rescue course. With these new certifications we have scuba divers better prepared to work in coral restoration. The entire team took an Emergency First Response course in order to be prepared and know how to act in case of an emergency while working.
We also did a course with 25 local fishermen with the Dominican Merchant Marine School for them to become certified marine operators for small boats. Here the fishermen learned about boat terminology, navigation, rescue skills, proper treatment of oil and gas change, responsible use of boats, and the importance of the marine environment. These practices will help protect the natural resources such as coral reefs in the area of Punta Cana.
The marine operations team also has participated in a coral disease study in Punta Cana. This study is being done in various parts of the Dominican Republic by following the same methodology and timeframe in order to better understand the health of the corals.
![Emergency First Response]()
Emergency First Response
![Emergency First Response 2]()
Emergency First Response 2
![Captain Course]()
Captain Course
![Coral disease study in Punta Cana]()
Coral disease study in Punta Cana
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