Seascape Caribbean

MoBay people, KEEP EYES PEELED:
Two (2) large coral nursery frames went missing to sabotage or theft this past week from Montego Bay, anchored/set at the Airport Reef dive-site (8m/28’ deep) west of the Sangster International Airport runway. They both disappeared between Wednesday (Sept.3) and yesterday (Sept.9).

Lost in/with these frames is also the corals they held safe:
1) 2500 highly-endangered elkhorn corals, nursery reared & ready-to-plant restoring the Montego Bay Marine Park's 2020 barge-grounding, plus works with UWI.
2) The entire genetic repository of elkhorn, pillar and fire corals for St. James, some of which cannot be replaced.

The frames are 10'x20' rectangles of 1" steel tube/pipe, so very heavy and cumbersome - a boat is required even to surface-tow. They had been in the sea for 18-months and 6-months respectively so the galvanizing is aged, some oysters and stinging-hydroids enough to have made a theft painful. Also sea-smelly once they’re out of the water, particularly if the coral nursery lines and ropes are in place.
The anchor-lines are 1200Lb Spectra/Dyneema cut cleanly, which would take sharp scissors or a razor-blade; cut at 1~2m from the bottom may have required SCUBA. Anchors are still in place, so not a boat anchor or net/pot entanglement.

Fishers and fishing-beaches have been alerted, also the Montego Bay Marine Park Trust, Marine Police, colleagues and watersports friends. If such a heavy steel frame sounds familiar, please message me immediately - we’ll keep anonymous, priority is to salvage the living coral.

Restored reefs aren't just beautiful, they're teeming with life! With 25% of all marine life dependent on coral reefs, these ecosystems are vital! Despite this, they are under serious threat and a future without them is becoming a stark reality. That's why reef restoration is so crucial – we're not just rebuilding coral colonies, we're preserving entire marine communities and the countless species that depend on them. Every nubbin outplanted, every colony restored, brings us one step closer to securing a future where these underwater cities continue to thrive.

We were among many innovators who had the opportunity to showcase our invention at the Reef Futures Tools and Innovation Showcase. Our SRM devices (silviculture ring mounts) are simple devices that hold nubbins in a nursery to heal and headstart; then securely outplant that coral to substrate. They simplify and accelerate the process and are highly trainable for any group (scientists, fisherfolk, and general volunteers).

The enthusiasm for our devices exceeded our expectations, with visitors recognizing their potential to make coral restoration more efficient. A sincere thank you to everyone who took the time to visit our booth and provide valuable inputs.