Coral reefs transplantation and restoration experience in Pirotan Island, Marine National Park, Gulf of Kachchh, India

Abstract

Massive corals planted over long lasting artificial reefs like concrete triangles have proven to be useful for the transplantation and restoration. A total of 215 artificial triangles were deployed with 1569 coral fragments at a small tide drain channel in Pirotan Island, Marine National Park, Gulf of Kachchh. The overall survival rate of transplanted corals was 77.57%, 7.84% of corals found detached from the triangles, 12.17% of corals bleached and 2.42% of corals dead. In addition, coral fragments overcame the impairment of the water current, sedimentation, algae cover and wave actions. Present preliminary study evident this transplantation methodology as a successful way for coral restoration in a most stressful ecosystem like the Gulf of Kuchchh.