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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
BNT and Blue Project Help Restore Bahamian Coral Reefs -
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is helping to increase the amount of coral reefs in The Bahamas by establishing coral nurseries as a part of Atlantis’ Blue Project. The Blue Project is a huge supporter of environmental NGOs and aims to promote solutions for marine conservation. The BNT is a key partner of the Blue Project, and of the project’s primary objectives is to develop and implement coral reef protection and restoration strategies. Pictured is one of the coral nurseries.
(Photo courtesy of BNT)
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Nassau, Bahamas - The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is helping to increase the amount of coral reefs in The Bahamas by establishing coral nurseries as a part of its Atlantis’ Blue Project.
The Blue project is a supporter of environmental non-government organizations and aims to promote solutions for marine conservation. Its primary objectives is to help develop and implement coral reef protection and restoration strategies.
One of the strategies that the Blue Project is currently using is coral reef restoration. Through this project, BNT staff have participated in the establishment of coral reefs throughout The Bahamas since 2011, and BNT staff members recently joined the Blue Project in the establishment of coral reef nurseries at Atlantis. Last month, Krista Sherman, Shelley Cant and Jasmine Wilchcombe assisted with the expansion of coral nurseries.
“Given the current status of the world’s coral reefs as well as present and future threats to these delicate systems – both natural and human-induced, coral conservation is a high priority,” said Krista Sherman, BNT Science Officer. “I am pleased to be a part of the coral reef restoration efforts taking place in The Bahamas. We set up our first nursery in New Providence in 2011 and now similar efforts are being conducted on other islands. The work that we are doing will help to increase live coral cover and improve the health of our reefs.”
BNT Staff Help With Coral Restoration -
One of the strategies that Atlantis' Blue Project is currently using is coral reef restoration. Through thisproject, BNT staff have participated in the establishment of coral reefs throughout The Bahamas since 2011. Last month, Krista Sherman, Shelley Cant and Jasmine Wilchcombe assisted with the expansion of coral nurseries at Atlantis. Pictured (left to right) are Jasmine Wilchcombe and Krista Sherman.
(Photo courtesy of BNT)
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Krista also traveled to the Exuma to set-up the first coral nursery in the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park (ECLSP) along with Dr. Craig Dahlgren, Perry Institute of Marine Sciences and Felicity Burrows, The Nature Conservancy, which is also conducting great reef restoration work in The Bahamas. The nursery contains three types of corals - Elkhorn (Acropora palmata), Staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and Fused Staghorn (Acropora prolifera) – which is a hybrid between the first two species.
These corals are important reef builders and provide essential habitats for a number of reef species. Once the corals attain a desirable size they will be removed from the nursery and transplanted onto select reefs around New Providence.
You can learn more about the Blue Project at http://blueproject.com/ and join the BNT at http://www.bnt.bs to become a member and support the restoration of our coral reefs.
Coral Restoration Project Uses Three Types of Coral -
The nursery contains three types of corals - Elkhorn (Acropora palmata), Staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and Fused Staghorn (Acropora prolifera) – which is a hybrid between the first two species. These corals are important reef builders and provide essential habitats for a number of reef species. Once the corals attain a desirable size they will be removed from the nursery and transplanted onto select reefs. Pictured are some of the corals that were placed in the nurseries.
(Photo courtesy of BNT)
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