Reef Restoration

Wouldn’t it be more effective to invest in the prevention of reef decline?

Yes, also underwater prevention is better than cure. However, prevention in the past has unfortunately often proved too little and too late. Conventional coral reef conservation relied heavily on top-down management such as marine protected areas and other restrictions. Regrettably, due to a combination of both poor enforcement and compliance such measures have in many cases not been able to prevent reef decline. Many reef restoration projects like REEFolution work bottom-up and thereby nourishes a greater local responsibility for coral reefs. This way, community restored coral reefs are expected to benefit from increased local stewardship and greater compliance to other coral reef conservation measures. As such, restoration becomes the catalyst for prevention of additional damage and reinforces traditional conservation while simultaneously assisting reef recovery of past damage.

The decline of coral reefs has been well-documented, but failed to spark action. Isn’t this a problem of politics rather than science?

As scientists we are trained to report objectively, but passion is what drives us to do our profession. Indeed, given the grave state of most reefs, the ever-increasing treats and remarkably slow political progress, it has become vital to become more proactive. Recently there has been an increasingly louder call for scientists to speak up, whereas first this was perceived to reduce the scientific authority. I do strongly believe it is not only our task to advance science, but also make sure our message is heard by the broad public, which drives politics. Improved and diversification of communication is key, meaning we shouldn’t limit ourselves to publish scientific papers only, but also engage in other forms of outreach. At REEFolution Kenya social media platforms have been key, but equally important are articles in popular magazines or blogs on a website, for example.

In coral reef conservation there are many paths that can be taken, all striving for the same end goal: a healthy coral reef that provides benefits to those dependent on them and wonder to those who are lucky enough to swim above and observe them. I hope the above questions have shed some light on the strategic choices made by the REEFolution Kenya project. It illustrates that reef restoration is one aspect of conservation that does not stand alone (no project is an island): it is dependent on and reinforces the political landscape and traditional conservation measures. Given the continuous decline, the vast importance and, above all, the immeasurable beauty of coral reefs, I press for a holistic approach to conservation in which restoration, with its immediate benefits and future relevance is destined to help. 

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