WILLEMSTAD - non-profit organization Coral Restoration Foundation Curaçao (CRFC) announced today that it will have finished building a new coral nursery near to Fuik on 15 June 2019 with students from local schools.
The coral nurseries grow fragments of critically endangered Staghorn corals which once matured will be out planted onto the reef. Staghorn coral populations have declined by 97% globally since the 1970s and they are essential to coral reef systems. The corals out planted near Fuik will play a vital role in improving the health of the reef and increase the fish populations in the area.
"We are very excited about the plans and look forward to engaging the youngsters with the work we do" said Pol Bosch, Project Manager of CRFC. "This would not have been possible without the grant money from Active Chance and we are very grateful that with their help we can restore a new part of the coast line in Curaçao."
CRFC is expecting to engage between 30 to 50 students per year with the project and repopulate the reef with corals from the nurseries once they have reached maturity. The initiation of the project has been funded by Active Chance and CRFC plan for it run for 3-5 years with subsequent donations and partnerships.
We would like to acknowledge and thank our initial sponsors, Curacao Airport Holding, Kooyman, Maduro & Curiel's Bank and Ocean Encounters for their support.