ANOC´s coral garden grows strong

ANOC has partnered with the Blue Harmony Coral Preservation Project (BHCPP) since May 2023 when representatives of ANOC and 24 NOCs planted coral fragments at the Nusa Dua Beach, in Bali/Indonesia. After six months of careful monitoring and maintenance, the BHCPP has shared a report about the ANOC Coral Garden in Bali, stating that 6 genus of corals and 13 different coral species have grown in the four coral star structures settled by ANOC and the NOCs.

“ANOC has sustainability in the core of its strategy plan and is committed to acting sustainably and responsibly. We are very happy with this partnership. ANOC´s support is an example to other organization worldwide to demonstrate that we all can take responsibility for the ecosystem we live in”, said Pariama Hutasoit, chairperson of Bali Blue Harmony.

During the past six months, BHCPP has been carrying out regular maintenance in the area to ensure healthy coral growth. This activity includes removing algae and sediment from the frame of reef stars, collecting marine litter from corals, securing Reef Stars structures and cable ties and replacing dead corals and adding more coral fragments. Corals are an ecosystem seriously impacted by climate change and marine litter, as well as tourism and fishing.

“Common people can help protect corals in many ways, for example by no throwing trash in the ocean, using environmentally friendly transportation and avoiding plastic for example, as well as saving energy, shopping local and using eco-friendly sun screen”, explains Pariama Hutsoit.

By restoring the coral ecosystem some of the benefits are:

• Promoting habitat complexity, offering an environment that fosters biodiversity and stimulates rapid coral development.
• Facilitatating the resurgence of marine life, restoring vital ecosystems and safeguarding coastal areas.
• Protecting increasingly vulnerable coastlines from storms and flooding

The partnership between ANOC and the BHCPP will last until 2026 and includes the planting and maintenance of 180 coral fragments at the Nusa Dua Beach.