Biologist restores Belize reefs by outplanting coral fragments
After Hurricane Iris in 2001 severely reduced coral cover around Laughing Bird Caye to under 6%, marine biologist Lisa Carne founded Fragments of Hope and began restoration experiments that grew into a national programme. Using nursery techniques such as metal A-frames, underwater tables and cement "cookies", the group maintains more than 23 in-water nurseries and has outplanted more than 100,000 corals at over 10 sites, including Laughing Bird Caye where more than 49,000 fragments were outplanted. Commonwealth and UNDP documentation reports coral cover at Laughing Bird rose above 50% by 2017 and the restored reef now provides habitat for fish and other marine life.
Fragments of Hope outplanted more than 100,000 corals across Belize.
Context
Hurricane Iris struck Belize in 2001 and badly damaged reefs. Carne began experiments in 2006 and scaled up nurseries from 2009. The project could continue outplanting and monitoring to test long-term reef resilience.
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