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Scuba divers in the Philippines develop nurseries for rescued coral

A group of diving experts and enthusiasts are establishing coral nurseries in a popular dive area south of Philippine capital Manila to help in the proliferation and healing of damaged coral.

In coastal town Bauan in Batangas province, divers gather coral damaged and dislodged by natural catastrophes and man-made disturbance such as plastic waste and dynamite fishing, and salvage living parts before positioning them in coral nurseries.

If we pick those that are actually more tolerant to climate change, to higher temperature level, that can survive greater temperature level, then you can in fact propagate more, so next time you are in fact like developing a reef of the future, said marine scientist Sam Shu Qin, co-founder of non-profit conservationist group Our Singapore Reefs which is participating in the initiative.

Bauan, a two-hour drive from Manila, boasts a varied coral population which has drawn in diving lovers for years. But its coral has often struggled with natural dangers such as typhoons and human-caused damage, threatening the ecosystem and tourist market.

In 2020, parts of surrounding Batangas province suffered a. mass coral whitening occasion - when heat turns coral. white through algae loss - with about 72 kilometres (45 miles). of coastline impacted, said conservationist group Reef Watch. Philippines.

It prompted Bauan-based scuba diving trainer and resort. owner Carmela Sevilla to plant nurseries for removed coral, and. invite likeminded conservationists to join the effort.

Aside from offering a home for orphaned coral, nurseries. serve as repositories in case there is a requirement to replenish coral. in the middle of ecological difficulties brought by environment modification, such as. mass lightening.

The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands. with nearly 36,300 km of shoreline, making it among the world's. most marine resource-rich nations.

However some areas in the Philippines may suffer in the next. 3 months in what the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric. Administration stated on Monday as the 4th mass international. lightening event in the last three years.

The objective is not to make such a huge distinction, to be able. to stop climate modification or be able to really produce a substantial impact. on conservation, stated Sevilla who, with volunteers, has so far. collected 64 pieces of damaged coral for 2 nurseries.

Little efforts are what will make a difference since it. builds up in time, it builds up slowly, and it's something. that can last, and it assists produce an impact, she said.

(source: Reuters)