Coral Reef Restoration

RESTORATION HAS THE POWER TO MAKE CHANGE

The most rewarding experience of my life was starting a coral reef restoration project in Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Through a grant awarded by The Explorers Club, I traveled to Indonesia to study the success of coral reef restoration. Restoration in this area is in response to a pyramid of dynamite fishing. A harmful fishing practice in which charges are dropped into water, killing all fish instantly and destroying coral below.

My project analyzed the success and effectiveness of restoration through 2d and 3d photomosaic analysis (images below). By taking thousands of images of the reef, huge files were created that encompass huge swaths of reefs at a high resolution. Comparing these same reef patches year after year, we get an intimate perspective on how these reefs are changing.

After this initial research phase, I had the opportunity to start my own restoration plot. With the help of my Indonesian collaborators, I designed a study which out-planted nearly 400 corals on wire mesh and steel table structures. I hope this study sheds light on making restoration more affordable, and increasing coral diversity in restoration efforts.