In February of 2016, our facility hosted the first coral restoration workshop on Roatán. The workshop introduced a small team of local biologists and conservation managers to coral nursery methodology and active restoration solutions. RIMS has partnered with the Roatán Marine Park, the Bay Islands Conservation Association and the ICF to establish the first coral nursery program in the Bay Islands. One of the three nursery sites selected for this project is directly in front of our facility which provides us with direct and easy access for maintenance and oversight.

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The coral nursery project’s goal is to enhance local populations of the once-dominant staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) and elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata). Threats such as disease, hurricanes, and climate change have reduced the abundance of these species throughout the Caribbean by almost 90% over the past few decades. Branching corals are crucial to reef structure and create important habitat for fish and invertebrates. Coral nurseries are an active method of restoration that will help reestablish populations of staghorn coral and other threatened coral species