Coral Transplantion, Rehabilitation or Destruction?

By : Surya Asri Simbolon

Coral Transplantion, Rehabilitation or Destruction - Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) released the latest status of coral reefs in Indonesia by 2017. The recent observation indicates that the condition of coral reefs in Indonesia is extremely threatened.

Approximately 35.15% of coral reefs in Indonesia are heavily damaged, 35.06% are in moderate condition, 23.40% are in good condition and only 6.39% are in very good condition. The observations were conducted in 108 locations and 1064 monitoring stations throughout Indonesian waters.

It was very patheticreality. Indonesia were mentioned as one of the best places for coral reefs growth, yetonly 6.39% is invery good condition.

Actually, there are many factors that cause coral reef damage in Indonesia, such as PITRAL (not Environmentally Friendly Fish Catching), Climate change, Tourism Activities and Coral Transplantation activities (possibly).

Today, coral transplantation activities believed to be one powerful and appropriate way to rehabilitate the coral reefs. Rehabilitation method with transplantation techniques by utilizing asexual reproduction have long been done in several places inIndonesia. The goal is to improve coral reefs condition.

Is that Successful so far?

Yes it is, but only if it is carried out with a proper techniques and with consideration of environmental condition.

So why most people believedthat coral transplantation is “one of factor causing coral damage?”

It's an opinion. we also can not deny it. Perhaps there is a research or personal experience support it. It could be true some way.

Before the transplantation, there is a seedling process. Seedling process can not be carried out arbitrarily. There are some note should be considered, such as: seed should taken from good coral colonies around the location where the transplantation will be conducted; Environmental conditions should be considered as well techniques in taking seeds. This means, good coral colonies should be cut to obtain seeds in the hope that there will be new colonies in the vicinity.

Transplantation is said as one of the causes of coral colony destruction.

New coral colonies growth after the transplantation, but it’s still needs treatment. If monitoring activities conducted regularly, the new colony will grow up well. But if it is abandoned, the transplantation is bad choice.

If likened to a human, a toddler needs to get good treatment from the offender (Dad and Mom) to get good results. So also with coral reefs.

In essence coral transplantation activities are very helpful to increase the percentage of coral conditions. Good if done with good rules and stages. But it will be one of the factors causing more degradation of coral reef condition if there is no follow-up plan for the activities. the parent colony will be damaged in the seedling process, but the seed are not kept and will die slowly.

Before doing coral transplantation activities need to be considered the original purpose. Is only limited to do activities or really want to improve the condition of the reef at the location of activities. In order not to appear hypocritical, “Big Mouth” conveyed “Save Our Coral”, but it turns out them was the cold-blooded murderer who hid behind the activities of coral transplantation.(SAS).

Writer/Transaleter/Reviewer : Surya Asri/Harri Pranata/Zulkariman