Restoring Hope: Successful Coral Outplanting in the Port Launay Marine National Park

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Coral outplanting has emerged as a promising strategy in the global effort to restore degraded coral reefs from the adverse impacts of climate change. This involves cultivating coral fragments in nurseries before transplanting them onto damaged reef areas. This is exactly what was undertaken by our Marine Operations and Research team on Saturday 27th April 2024, during the Coral Festival, in collaboration with Absa Bank, Seychelles.

The heavily anticipated coral outplanting event saw the careful installation of 75 reef star structures onto the sea bed within the Port Launay Marine National Park, forming the silhouette of a hawksbill turtle. In total, 450 coral fragments were attached to the frames by the eager and determined Absa volunteers. Used for the outplanting were acropora and pocillopora coral fragments, due to their known resiliency. This diversity in fragments used helps reefs better withstand environmental stresses, such as rising sea temperatures.

Almost six months later, the initiative is proving to be commendable success, with many of the coral fragments still in place and growing. Whilst several have also been displaced or damage, our careful teams continue to carry out strict monitoring and maintenance on the “artificial reef”.

Over the years to come, the restored reef is hoped to not only enhance marine biodiversity but also provide critical ecosystem services, such as coastal protection, fish habitat, and support for local economies through sustainable eco-tourism activities. The success of this initiative, similarly to others carried out within other Marine National Parks continues to demonstrate that coral outplanting is an effective tool for reef restoration, offering hope for the future of these critical marine habitats.

The proactive involvement of trusted partners like Absa Bank has also played a crucial role in the success of the coral outplanting project. Engaging staff from various levels in restoration efforts not only provides valuable manpower but also fosters a sense of stewardship and awareness about the importance of coral reefs, paving the way for continued innovative solutions and further expand restoration efforts. In the meantime, the Authority continues to work with partners to develop and identify further restoration efforts required.