Coral reef research yields good results
MUSCAT — The Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Environment has
joined hands with the Sultan Qaboos University to work out ways and
means to protect the coral reefs from human activities such as fishing and
water sports.
In a project sponsored by the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the
ministry and the university are investigating whether artificial reefs can be
built by means of reef balls: large, perforated, spherical shells of chemically
adjusted concrete that provide a ready-made habitat for fish and a substrate
amenable to marine growth, according to a press release issued by the
Department of Public Affairs, PDO.
With the help of the Ras Al Hamra Sub Aqua Club, 40 reef balls were
lowered into place last year around the Fahal Island and at other locations in
Muscat’s Ras Al Hamra bay. The reef balls were originally intended to
stimulate the growth of “soft” coral. But recent examination of the sites by
SQU researchers have shown that “hard” coral begun growing on the
structures as well.
Frans Willekes, PDO’s health safety and environment manager, said, “We
have some great results with the soft coral”. The fact that hard coral has
started growing on the reef balls by chance shows that this type of coral can
be transplanted here. “We now want to monitor this juvenile coral and
explore the possibility of transplanting other species”, he added.
The speed with which the reef balls have been colonised by coral also
surprise the researchers. “It was thought by many that it would take years
for coral to establish itself, but the results with soft corals show that nature
can do much better than that,” Frans stated in the press release.
In a separate initiative, PDO is also helping to stop the erosion of existing,
natural coral reefs by donating 17 mooring buoys that will be deployed at
reefs along the Batinah coast and at Damaniyat islands.
The buoys are being given to the Royal Navy of Oman who will place them
near sites popular with divers. Dive boards will have to moor on these buoys
rather than dropping anchor, thereby avoiding damage to the reefs.
From Oman Observer (July 27, 2000)
