SLT1264 May 11-17, 2024
Scuba divers in Southern Leyte are passionate about coral restoration at Sogod Bay. They have allotted time and efforts to ensure the healthy existence of corals in the area, especially after the damage done by Typhoon Odette in December 2021.
The Sogod Bay Scuba Resort led by Philip and Darlene Mcguire have been into coral gardening for quite some time. And recently, the McGuire couple with Rick Smith, Annalyn Tinio and Greg Acabo engaged in coral gardening in Sogod Bay.
Coral gardening involves the cultivation of coral fragments to help restore damaged coral reef ecosystems. Coral gardeners collect small fragments of live coral and grow them in underwater nurseries. These nurseries provide the ideal conditions for the coral fragments to thrive and expand in size. By carefully cultivating and growing these coral fragments, coral gardeners are able to generate new coral that can then be used to repopulate and rehabilitate degraded areas of the reef.
Coral gardening leverages the natural resilience and regenerative capacity of corals to accelerate the recovery and growth of these vital marine habitats. Through the sustainable cultivation of coral, this approach supports the long-term conservation of coral reef ecosystems around the world.
Although progress has been done in Sogod Bay’s coral restoration, there is still a lot of work to be done, according to Darlene Mcguire. It would greatly help if other private, and public entities would join in coral restoration and preservation. (GMR)
