Over the last 2 months we have been expanding our coral restoration site on the northern coastline of Nusa Penida. Through some general donations and the help of lots of volunteers and a few Scientific Diver students we have mapped out an area of degraded rubble reef and begun the restoration process of the site.

Map of newly installed frames in June 2021 at the New restoration site… Watch our blog/instagram/facebook for updates as we expand the site even more!

At this site we are using rebar frames which are designed to trap rubble from eroding down the reef slope, yet are small enough and positioned so as to not flip over in the strong currents of Nusa Penida. As coral begins to grow upon these frames the weight and surface area increases; so the frames must be positioned with the current to reduce resistance.

Coral frames spaced along the reef slope placed parallel to the current, with nursery ropes suspended between frames.

Metal mesh placed upon rubble to stabilize moving rubble and prevent erosion of the reef.

In addition to the coral frames we have added a structural restoration method to reduce rubble erosion and movement - placing metal mesh across the rubble between frames. Soft corals are then transplanted upon the mesh to also facilitate rubble stabilization.

A third method we are using upon this new area is to integrate the coral rope nurseries into the outplanting site itself! Rope nurseries are suspended between frames so that nursery corals are raised at the same depth & environmental conditions as they will be outplanted. As the nursery corals grow they will provide parent stock for transplanting upon additional coral frames; as well as increase the overall percent cover of coral at the site.