Coral restoration

Prior to the storm surge from a hurricane in 1999, sandy shallow water habitats between Bonaire and the much smaller island of Klein Bonaire (to the west) were largely covered with delicate staghorn coral.  The storm surge broke much of this coral into little pieces.  In areas with lots of abraiding sand in the water, the coral hasn't recovered.

Currently, a coral restoration project is underway.  Part of this is culture is happening off Klein Bonaire.  A smaller demonstration project can be viewed next to the Buddy Dive reef, at a depth of 15 feet.  Pieces of healthy coral are brought in from other sites around the island, and grown on artificial "trees."  Then once the coral has reached a certain size, it is planted (using some sort of glue) onto rocks to grow out.

Both elkhorn and staghorn coral are being cultured this way.

Coral planted to grow out (note the white glue).