Best Practices for Coral Reef Restoration Techniques

 

Bangkok, Thailand — The workshop on coral reef restoration techniques in the Western Pacific was hosted by the Department of Marine Science, Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand from 21 to 23 September 2012. The training received financial support from the Japanese Government and was co-sponsored by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (Thailand), JSPS Asian CORE Program and Chulalongkorn University.

 

The workshop aimed for an exchange and update on the coral reef restoration techniques that have been used or experimented in the different countries in the Western Pacific. The workshop saw 43 participants from 10 countries: PR China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

 

During the three days, the current status of coral reef restoration and rehabilitation in the participating countries were reviewed and field studies in the restoration site discussed. Another aim of the training was to increase knowledge of coral reef restoration techniques and to enhance public knowledge and awareness on coral reef restoration and conservation in the region. In addition, a regional network on coral restoration was established to identify best practice and promotion of these techniques among WESTPAC member countries for sustainability of marine and coastal ecosystems.

 

A summary report on the current status on coral reef restoration and rehabilitation in each country is planned for publishing.

 

For more information, please contact Dr. Suchana Chavanich, IOC/WESTPAC Project Leader of the Coastal Marine Biodiversity and Conservation in the Western Pacific, at suchana.c@chula.ac.th