No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsEnvironment and WildlifeCosta Rica Pioneers Coral Reef Restoration in Gulf of Nicoya

Costa Rica Pioneers Coral Reef Restoration in Gulf of Nicoya

In order to protect, restore, and revitalize the marine ecosystems of the Gulf of Nicoya, a total of 1,050 coral fragments have been cultivated on Tortuga Island from June to September. The initiative, led by the State Distance University (UNED) Puntarenas branch and the Nautical Fishing Center of the National Learning Institute (INA), is part of the macro project, “Feasibility of the Ecological Restoration of Coral Reefs in the Gulf of Nicoya through Coral Reef Gardening in 2024.”

This collaborative initiative, called “coral reef gardening,” aims to restore coral reefs, generating significant benefits for the environment, tourism, and the economic vitality of coastal populations. The coral gardening methodology, based on recent scientific research, includes the use of specially designed structures to maximize the growth and survival of transplanted corals.

Among the structures used in coral nurseries (gardening) are spider, clothesline, and tree structures. These are assembled on the seabed by means of anchors, remaining suspended in the water column about 5m/20 feet from the surface.

Rodolfo Vargas, a researcher at INA’s Nautical Fishing Nucleus and a coral reef gardening specialist, emphasized that the technique accelerates coral growth, increasing resilience and enabling maturity in just one year, compared to the natural rate of 2.5 cm annually.

“This effort not only benefits marine biodiversity but also has the potential to transform Isla Tortuga and the surrounding area through a sustainable tourism model,” he said.

He also mentioned that this technique is crucial for restoring coral reefs degraded by anthropogenic or natural factors. Currently, the approximate volume of coral planted on Tortuga Island is 9,745.51 cm³, a positive figure indicating significant recovery of the coral and fish population in the area.

Sedimentation, pollution, and overexploitation of resources are some of the main causes of coral reef degradation in the Gulf of Nicoya. Against this backdrop, reef restoration on Tortuga Island is a crucial step to mitigate these impacts and ensure the health of marine ecosystems for future generations.

Coral reefs are essential for marine biodiversity and coastal protection. In Costa Rica, 77% of these ecosystems face serious threats, mainly due to human activity.

Trending Now

Melinda Hildebrand Confirmed as US Ambassador to Costa Rica

The United States Senate has approved Melinda "Mindy" Hildebrand as the new ambassador to our country, marking a fresh chapter in bilateral ties between...

Scientists Identify New Salamander in Costa Rica’s Highest Peak Ecosystem

Scientists have identified a new salamander species in the remote páramo of Chirripó National Park, highlighting our country's rich biodiversity and the pressing challenges...

Costa Rica Adds 17th Accessible Beach at Playa Blanca

Costa Rica added another spot to its list of inclusive coastal destinations this week. Playa Blanca in Punta Morales de Chomes now stands as...

Costa Rica Monitors Caribbean Tropical Wave with 70% Storm Chance

Those who live along the Caribbean coast know all too well how quickly weather can turn in October. Right now, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional...

Trump Says He Will End US Aid to Colombia as Tensions Spike

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday accused his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, of tolerating drug production and announced he would end “large-scale payments...

Costa Rica OIJ Arrests Human Trafficking Ring Exploiting Minors

The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) dismantled a gang dedicated to human trafficking for the sexual exploitation of minors after carrying out 19 simultaneous raids...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica