12 August 2019, Willemstad – non-profit organization Coral Restoration Foundation Curaçao (CRFC) have partnered with Baoase Luxury Resort to build a pop-up coral nursery at their resort.
CRFC currently maintains 50 coral trees across the island. These coral trees grow fragments of critically endangered coral species and once these fragments are mature enough, they are out planted to different sites around Curaçao. The out planted coral clusters not only improve the health of the reefs but also increase fish populations in the area.
Over the 3 year partnership with Baoase Luxury Resort, 240 corals will be hung on coral trees providing the optimum conditions for them to grow. As they grow and mature, these fragments will then be out planted and help restore the reef surrounding the resort. By the end of the partnership, 1500 corals with be out planted onto the reef.
“We are really excited to have another hotel involved with the work we’re doing” said Pol Bosch, CRFC Project Manager. “It highlights to the public and other business owners on the island that the health of the oceans is everyone’s business”.
Support from like-minded companies allows CRFC to engage future generations with the health of the oceans and provide hope for restoring the reefs of Curaçao.
About CRFC
Coral Restoration Foundation Curaçao (CRFC) set-up in 2015 is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the shallow water coral reef systems in Curaçao and educating the community on the significance of the oceans.
They work with critically endangered species of corals, growing them in nurseries and out planting them onto new sites. These out planted corals are an integral part of reef structures, they improve the health of the reefs and increase fish populations and biodiversity in the area. To date CRFC has out planted over 6000 corals to 7 locations and engaged more than 100 students.
CRFC would like to acknowledge their initial sponsors Curacao Airport Holding, Maduro & Curiel’s Bank, LionsDive Beach Resort, Kooyman and Ocean Encounters for their support. If you would like to see the nurseries for yourself and the positive impact they have created, please contact Katie Leeper operations@coralrestorationcuracao.org
