The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) hosted a reef restoration Workshop on Bonaire in summer 2024, bringing together over 20 experts in coral reef restoration and over 150 participants. Topics ranged from fish reproduction to coral outplanting. Experts from the Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire, Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) and SECORE International discussed coral restoration methods. The coral spawning lab shared advancements in land-based coral spawning techniques. Participants from Van Hall Larenstein University covered the restoration of native herbivores like sea urchins and snails, which help reduce harmful algae and improve coral survival. Roffareefs, the Caribbean offshoot of Diergaarde Blijdorp, the Rotterdam Zoo, presented novel approaches to herbivorous fish reproduction.
Roffareefs and Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire also led practical field activities, where participants engaged in coral fragmentation and micro-propagation techniques, studied fish breeding behaviors, and took part in local reef restoration exercises.
Coral reefs are crucial to the health of the Caribbean, and yet they face threats every day from climate change, invasive species, pollution and overfishing. DCNA urges others across the Caribbean to join this vital initiative to safeguard biodiversity, enhance coastal resilience, and support sustainable livelihoods.
DCNA will publish a special edition of BioNews (http://dcnanaturenews.org/news) featuring articles and recordings of some presentations on workshop topics. For more, contact: research@DCNAnature.org
