Reef Restoration to the “Max”

By Bill Doran

Coral Restoration on reefs is critical as they are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet, providing habitats for thousands of species of fish and other marine life. Unfortunately, coral reefs around the world are under threat due to a variety of factors, including climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

 

In Curacao, a small island in the southern Caribbean, a group of dedicated individuals is working to restore the island’s coral reefs. Max van Aalst, a marine biologist graduate, is leading the effort through the Branch Coral Foundation. This non-profit organization is dedicated to protecting and restoring coral reefs in Curacao. Max and his team are using a variety of techniques to restore the coral, including coral gardening, where small fragments of coral are grown in nurseries and then transplanted onto the reef. In addition to coral restoration, Max and his team are also working to raise awareness about the importance of protecting coral reefs and the marine life that depends on them. They are working with local dive shops, restaurants, and other businesses to educate the public about the threats facing coral reefs and what they can do to help. One of the most impressive aspects of the project is the community effort that Max and his team have been able to mobilize.

 

While in Curacao in October, I was invited along with my wife Kelly to participate in a new coral restoration project being started on the reef at Kokomo Beach by the Branch Coral Foundation. The project, which is partly being sponsored by Karel Boon from Trunkdivers and the Kokomo Beach Restaurant, is focused on restoring the coral reefs at Kokomo Beach. When I arrived at Kokomo Beach, one of my favourite dive sites in Curacao, I was greeted first by Karel and his team and enjoyed a wonderful conversation. Shortly after that, we were joined by Max, his current intern Wendy and Patrick, her father. We were briefed on today’s tasks, which were to install the anchors on the first dive and to install the coral stands (often called trees) on the second dive. Then, off to work, we went.

 

Local businesses, including Scuba Do Dive Centre and a local restaurant, have sponsored previous restoration projects and have joined in the effort to clean and maintain the restored reefs.

 

During the surface interval, Kelly and I enjoyed lunch with Max and Wendy and learned so much more than we had anticipated.

 

Max is an MSc marine biologist graduate. After finishing his studies in the Netherlands, he moved back to the island where he grew up, Curaçao, to fight for the coral reefs he fell in love with as a child. Besides being a biologist, Max is passionate about diving, teaching and entrepreneurship. Working with nature, rather than against it, is his mission.

 

Wendy Hofland Angulo is an intern with the Branch Coral Foundation and is a student at Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. Listening to her work at school, especially her ideas and her other work with a Sea Urchin restoration project she participated in throughout her school. Her dedication to the environment is inspiring.

 

The following week, Kelly and I were invited by Max and Wendy to participate in a cleaning of a previously installed project at Jan Thiel. Here, the sponsors are Scuba Do Dive Centre with their manager Roderick, a true pleasure to work with, and the local beach restaurant. Joining and teaching us on this dive were Wendy, her father, Patrick Hofland and Deo, whose full name is Deonarine Fluonia. They briefed us on the proper procedures to clean the coral restoration trees. There was an order for the cleaning and particular tools to use. After the briefing, we went off to work/dive. Both Kelly and I enjoyed a dive with a cause and offered to participate in the future.

 

The work being done by Max and the Branch Coral Foundation is truly impressive, and it’s clear that they are making a difference in Curacao. Their dedication to restoring the island’s coral reefs and educating the public about the importance of protecting them is inspiring, but the work is far from over. Climate change, pollution, and overfishing are still significant threats to coral reefs worldwide, and we all have a role to play in protecting these precious ecosystems. By supporting organizations like the Branch Coral Foundation and making small changes in our own lives, we can all help to ensure that coral reefs continue to thrive for generations to come.

 

It was a pleasure to work alongside Max, Wendy, and the rest of the team on this project, and I’m excited to announce that both Max and Wendy have been asked to be guest writers in our magazine. Stay tuned for more exciting news from them.

 

For more information on the Branch Restoration Foundation or to donate, check out their website: https://www.branchcoralfoundation.com.