A new project in Saba, running from 2024 to 2026, will focus on reviving key species in the island’s underwater ecosystems. With a collaborative team from the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF) and Van Hall Larenstein (VHL) University of Applied Sciences, the project aims to restore both corals and sea urchins.
This initiative is centered around reviving two essential species — staghorn and elkhorn coral — with coral nurseries that will eventually be outplanted at key reef sites around Saba.
VHL is leading the charge on cultivating and restocking two key sea urchin species, West Indian sea egg and long-spined sea urchin, known for their ability to keep algae in check, helping the coral to thrive. Restoring these “reef cleaners” will give corals the breathing room they need to grow.
The project is funded as part of the Dutch Government’s Nature and Environment Policy Plan (NEPP) 2020-2030 for the Caribbean Netherlands, a comprehensive initiative aimed at conserving and restoring the unique natural environments of the Dutch Caribbean islands, including Saba, St. Eustatius, and Bonaire.
