Abuse Prevention Foundation supports Rebuilding of Coral Reefs in The Maldives"

In the shallow waters of Stingray Reef located at Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives, resident marine biologist, Ulrike Kloiber manages the resort's own coral nursery and house reef rehabilitation project. This is one of the world's first coral "cultivation" programs where detached pieces of coral known as "nubbins" are cultivated in nurseries and then transplanted to the reef where their growth is continually monitored. The program has been in existence since 2007 and so far over 1,000 new "nubbins" are taking root. The hope is that the coral will grow to form an island which will be called Stingray Island.

Coral reefs are the product of tiny animals called polyps, which secrete an exterior skeleton of aragonite, a mineral made of calcium carbonate. Each generation of polyp grows on the dead skeletons of its ancestors, but because they clone themselves they have achieved a kind of immortality. Some grow slower than the rate at which the continents move – fingernails grow faster. But eventually they form massive structures such as the Great Barrier Reef, which is more properly a collection of 3,000 separate reefs and 900 coral islands, divided by narrow channels. They are the only biological structures that can be seen from space. Coral reefs are being degraded at a rate of 2 per cent a year. About a fifth of the world's stock is already gone, and nearly half of the remainder is in danger of disappearing within the next 20 years.

The Abuse Prevention Foundation has adopted a portion of the reef in support of their program. At a time of increasing concern about the environment, APF steps up to do their part to help protect the reefs from the destructive effects of climate change. All over the world reefs are in a battle for survival from the effects of rising sea temperatures; higher acidity from increased concentration of carbon in the atmosphere; and the presence of too many nutrients in the sea from overfishing.

Coral bleacing is a major contributor to the damage that is occuring on the reefs. This is when the vividly coloured corals become a ghostly white as a result of the fleshy part of the stony coral evicting the microscopic algae that lives inside the polyp because of stress experienced by the coral due to something in the environment. As sea temperatures rise, mass bleaching can occur annually weakening the coral. Often the coral survives but in its weakened state becomes prone to disease. A more sinister threat is increased ocean acidity caused by rising levels of carbon dioxide. This causes difficulty for the polyp to build its aragonite skeleton. At high levels it is possible it will actually disolve the coral reef. These types of programs will not stop the destruction but they may at least slow down the damage.


The resort at Huvafen Fushi, where the "underwater garden" is located, has developed a host of activities to gain a better understanding and awareness of this fragile and beautiful environment. Programs such as Night Snorkeling, and SpaQuarium (dry snorkeling); a Touch Tank housing a cushion starfish, sea cucumbers and hermit crabs. Guests staying at the resort can adopt their own coral for transplantation. Participating guests will have their picture taken with the tagged coral and updates are sent to them about the progress of the coral. The Coral regeneration programme is supported by Ulrika’s own “Blue Team” and InterMarine Consulting's Dr Robert Hilliard formerly the Principal Marine Environmental Scientist at leading US-based engineering design firm, URS and Steven Lindsay, independent marine consultant and marine environmental scientist. The project was recently visited by Dr Charles Anderson, a professional marine biologist who has lived and worked in the Maldives since 1983. Ulrike report that the results have been steady and encouraging. The reef around the underwater spa has developed and marine life has increased tremendously. You can find more information at www.huvafenfushi.com.




How you can help
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