Coral Reef Conservation Activities

Evaluation of the current status, threats, changes to reef health over time, and efficacy of management responses

• Fish surveys to assess species diversity, abundance and biomass
  
• Benthic assessments of the cover of stony corals, other invertebrates, different types of algae and habitat quality
  
• Coral measurements of density, size structure,  amount of living tissue, and condition
  

Research on threats and their causes, identification of resilient species and reefs, and patterns of recovery

• Characterization of the prevalence, incidence and severity of diseases and bleaching
  
• Determine the abundance of coral eating snails, starfish and other pest species
  
• Evaluate the ecology of pest species, including feeding preferences, predators, and impacts
  
• Assess the types of corals and abundance of corals settling and recruiting onto degraded reefs
  
• Measure changes in environmental and physical parameters such as temperature and salinity
  

Implementation of tangible actions to reduce destructive human practices and activities, control pest species, and rehabilitate degraded reef ecosystems

• Remove or kill pest species such as coral eating snails and crown of thorns starfish
  
• Reintroduce sea urchins and other herbivores
  
• Collect coral fragments generated by storms and replant these corals
  
• Work with government agencies, communities and stakeholders to restore coastal vegetation and sea grasses, and conduct clean-up of beaches and reefs 
  
• Establish coral nurseries and transplant cultured corals onto degraded reefs
  

Engagement of local communities, students, fishers and other user groups, and recreational divers in coral reef conservation activities

• Establish networks of dive operators, fishers, resorts and local communities to serve as reef guardians
  
• Provide training in reef assessment, crown of thorns starfish removals,  and coral mariculture
  
• Involve interested citizens, divers and visitors in snorkeling and diving conservation activities
  

Improving ocean literacy of coral reef user groups, communities and visitors

• Provide seminars and workshops to key stakeholders on coral reef threats and actions to conserve resources
  
• Develop training materials including identification keys and reef methodologies
  
• Produce coral reef pamphlets, posters, interactive kiosks, magazine articles, books and videos on coral reefs