awards
KNOW HOW TO ENRICH CORAL COMMUNITIES
Learn to protect and enhance our coral reefs!
We conduct workshops on assessing reef health, keeping your reefs healthy and enhancing coral reef growth.
On March 8-10, 2024, 60 coral fragments were rescued and planted on nurseries during the CORAL CRUSADE WORKSHOP. These corals are now being cared for in preparation for re-planting in the reef.
MILESTONES
We are working with OUR BLUE SPACES, with Marine Biologist, Lecturer & Trainor: Sam Shu Qin an educator and coral scientist. She is co-founder of OUR SINGAPORE REEFS, a community initiative that connects like-minded marine enthusiasts through diving and educational programs.
Her research centers around the restoration of coral reefs in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore and projects in Indonesia. Spending countless hours underwater has given Sam firsthand experience of the detrimental effects of human activities on marine environments, including the issue of marine debris.
With a strong desire to raise awareness about marine debris, Sam through her training in science communication, hopes to inspire a greater sense of marine stewardship and promote discussions on marine science and conservation through various public engagement activities.
Sam is an avid diver and a PADI Divemaster. With a Masteral Degree in Science - MS, Science Communication from the National University of Singapore, Bachelor of Science with Honors (Biological Sciences from Nanyang Techological University Singapore and with a license and certification from CITI Programs for Social and Behavioral Research.
MILESTONES
On Dec 29, 2024 to Jan 2, 2025, 21 coral fragments were transplanted on the reef. New coral fragments were rescued. 60 coral babies are being cared for in the coral nursery until they can be strong and grown up enough to be transplanted on the reef.
After the big storm Kristine on October 26, 2024 we were happy to see that the CORAL NURSERY was not destroyed. While a few had been dislodged because of this extremely powerful storm, 80% of the coral babies have flourished and survived. On Dec 29, 2024 to Jan 5, 2025 we were able to do minor repairs on the CORAL NURSERY, transplant some 21 coral heads and now a new batch is again being nurtured for growth.
CHECK OUT THE GROWTH SAMPLES BELOW:
It is interesting to note that some corals, such as branching corals grow faster than plating and encrusting corals. The good news is that all the various coral species in our nursery survived the CORAL BLEACHING EVENT of 2024.
Check out the details of our 1st Coral Crusade Workshop. March 2024
MARCH 8: REEF & NURSERY PREPARATION
Demonstration and Briefing:
Dives: Setting up nursery tables, measuring the reef, establishing markers and setting up sections
MARCH 9: REEF CONSERVATION SKILLS & KNOW HOW
General Lecture:
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Strategies for Reef Revival
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Coral & Marine Animal Identification
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Understanding the Seabed
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How to record Biodiversity
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How to conduct survey
Dive 1: differentiating corals, how to document, how to take pictures, different substrates and corals
Dive 2: survey practice
MARCH 10: SURVEY, CORAL ASSESSMENT & CORAL BABIES
Dive 3: Survey and Coral selection
Dive 4: Collect & plant broken corals
Expect to pay for: resort stay, tanks used & workshop fee.
REEF CONSERVATION IS NOT A ONE TIME ACTIVITY!
Join our weekly cleaning and monitoring of our CORAL BABIES.
These CORAL HEADS will soon be out planted into the reef.
Help with the projects. This activity will succeed if sustained, monitoring, reef maintenance and propagation is a CONTINUOUS EFFORT. If you have the interest and training, contact us so that we can work together in our Coral Crusade. Email carmela@portulano.com
MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION:
You can give us a donation that will directly benefit the project. The donation you give will be used to purchase tools and materials needed for training, reef rehabilitation and enhancement programs.
Your donation will be coursed through Portulano Dive Resort, acknowledgement receipts and donation reports will be made available to donors for transparency.