Grand Life Magazine Winter 23-24 - Flipbook - Page 34
However, once they are damaged or destroyed, they
can take many years to recover - if ever. Coral Vita,
located on the eastern end of Grand Bahama, has
developed key techniques and technology to grow
coral 50x faster than they would naturally, while also
making them resilient to ever-increasing ocean
temperatures and acidity during the growth process.
The coral farm not only serves as a developmental
site for the reefs, but is also an educational center
where visitors can learn about coral’s vital impact on
the environment, see visual demonstrations, interact
with several marine animals, and gain insight into
how everyone can positively contribute to the
preservation and replenishment of these marine
systems.
The Coral Vita team notes that there are a few
simple but key ways that Grand Bahamians and
visitors can help keep coral reefs and their marine
life partners safe and flourishing. These include
adhering to local marine guidelines, not
touching/stepping on coral, not throwing chemicals
into the water, consuming sustainable seafood, and
respecting local seafood season regulations by only
consuming adult, legally sized conchs, crawfish, and
grouper. Parrotfish are also key players in the health
of reefs due to their consumption of several kinds of
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algae that can hinder the growth of coral. As a
result, it is highly recommended to refrain from
eating parrotfish, though consumption of invasive
lionfish (which happen to be delicious) can help
marine environments.
Surprisingly, certain sunscreens can also pose a
threat to the health of coral reefs. It is
recommended to use sunscreens that do not contain
oxybenzone or octinoxate when going into the
ocean.
Sam adds that the Coral Vita team has been
working diligently with national partners to inspire
coral tourism.
