Upcoming Reef Restoration Workshop on Bonaire
Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA)The workshop aims to share best practices and protocols in reef restoration. With a focus on coral and fish restoration, practical field workshops will be conducted by Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire and Diergaarde Blijdorp (Roffareefs). The workshop will also explore collaboration opportunities under DCNA’s Conservation & Restoration of Key Habitats program.
Workshop highlights
- Coral restoration: Insights from Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire, Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity foundation (CARMABI) and SECORE International, including coral fragmentation, micro propagation, and larval propagation techniques.
- Herbivore restoration: Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (VHL) will present their approaches to restore native herbivores, such as different sea urchins and snail species. The herbivores reduce harmful algae, thereby giving corals a higher survival chance.
- Fish restoration: Diergaarde Blijdorp (Roffareefs) will present novel approaches to fish reproduction, focusing on herbivorous fish.
- Land-based coral spawning: Coral Spawning Lab will cover coral spawning techniques, larval propagation, and novel system designs to scale coral production. Participation in the workshop is sponsored by Diergaarde Blijdorp.
- MPAConnect/AGRRA: Key messages from the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) / MPAConnect workshop on Coral Restoration Roadmap Planning in Florida.
Join online for free
The DCNA brings together a group of stakeholders representing the six Dutch Caribbean islands that will attend the workshop in person. Some of the sessions will also be available to the public for free via Zoom. Check the agenda and subscribe.
Special Edition BioNews
After the workshop, the DCNA will publish a special edition of BioNews featuring articles and recordings of some presentations on workshop topics, providing in-depth insights and extending the knowledge shared during the event. Follow DCNA for updates via Facebook, Instagram or BioNews.
This workshop is generously funded by the ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) and supported by the Dutch Postcode Lottery.
Text: Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA)
Photos: Jamie Craggs and Kelly Latijnhouwers (lead photo: smooth star coral (Solenastrea bournoni) spawning); MPAConnect; Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire