Artificial reef- “Dockside” AIR modules with Staghorn coral growth.

During our first day we were able to learn about various research projects and restoration initiatives here at Discovery Bay. Posters are displayed throughout the grounds explaining the details and purpose of work being studied and completed. Learning about the artificial reef design for coral restoration had me so excited to get in the water and check it out!
 
Artificial reefs are used to encourage new growth and allow reef recovery. They are constructed using iron rebar which are placed in shallow waters, where divers then transplant coral fragments with hopes for them to survive and flourish. I was able to identify where in the bay the artificial reefs were located using the research poster and took a swim out to snap some photos!
  
As you can see in the photo, the iron rebar was created to mimic the branching growth patterns of certain coral species. Those who developed this technique call these AIR modules, (Acropora Iron Reef). I was able to identify Staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis, growing from the iron reef module. They are easily identified by their antler-like racks of cylindrical branches which are what you can see growing on the modules in the photo! It was found in their research that the modules attracted species like goat, surgeon, parrot, damsel, and trumpet fishes. It was amazing to see these artificial reefs first hand, as the world-wide initiative to use artificial reefs has become a very hot topic.
 
–Marshmallow
[Prof Note: We play a “name game” the first night to help all of us learn each others names — each student picks a food or beverage that starts with the same letter as their name, and we go around trying to remember them. It works really well — but it may produce some not-so-common sign offs on the blog posts.]