A TOTAL of 1080 new corals were planted on a single reef in Rakiraki over a span of just two days.
Plans are now in the pipeline to repeat the exercise at a new location, but on a larger scale.
The feat was pulled off by Professor Adam Blundell and his wife Mar, four University of Utah students from the United States, founders of Aquaculture Development for the Environment (ADE) Walt and Deborah Smith, and a dedicated team of locals from Drauniivi Village. “We co-ordinated the trip with the ADE team for the past six months,” said Prof Blundell.
“Our aim was to give the students an opportunity for field research and also to contribute to meaningful environmental restoration work in a real-world setting.”
ADE has planted over 1.4 million corals on degraded reefs across Fiji.
“Our ultimate goal is to work with villages near resorts to create unique eco-tourism experiences that benefit both the environment and local livelihoods,” Mr Smith said.
“It’s a win-win for everyone.”
He said he wanted the volunteering students to understand their restoration process and they were prepared to help reach their goal of planting 1000 corals in just two days.
“We’re thrilled to have surpassed that mark and are already preparing for our next project near Nadi next month,” said Mrs Smith.
ADE previously partnered with Hideaway Resort to initiate a guest-participation coral planting experience, an initiative that won the International Ecotourism Award in 2007 and continues to inspire ADE’s mission today.