Great Barrier Reef Coral Nurture Program successfully promotes coral growth

One year in, a series of images is showing the effectiveness of the Coral Nurture Program, a coral planting initiative undertaken by local researchers on the Great Barrier Reef.

Russell Hosp, Environmental Manager and Master Reef Guide for Cairns-based dive operator Passions of Paradise Russell Hosp has witnessed episodes of coral bleaching during his tenure on the reef. Bleaching occurs when coral expels its algae and turns white due to the increasing temperature of its surrounding water. But contrary to popular belief, coral bleaching is "not a death sentence," he says. While it does leave the coral vulnerable, with a little TLC it can in fact make a full recovery.

And TLC is exactly what the Coral Nurture Program is giving the reef. Russell and the team collect fragments of healthy coral that have fallen off the reef and plant them in a special coral nursery to regrow. Then, they're broken into smaller pieces and reattached to the reef using special clips.

Another of the operators involved in the Coral Nurture Program, Ocean Freedom, is also reporting positive results. Owners of Ocean Freedom, Taryn and Perry, are extremely excited to be part of the initiative, saying all involved collectively agree that it's all about assisting the reef as nature intended, enhancing but not changing the balance of its ecosystem on their sites. 

The Coral Nurture Program has successfully re-planted over 1000 pieces of coral, and as the images below of the coral growing in the nurseries show, are helping the reef to not just survive, but thrive.

Find out more about caring for the Great Barrier Reef.