Grenada rebuilds barrier reefs

By Michelle Nurse On Jun 25, 2015

Globally, 75 percent of coral reefs are under threat from overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and acidification of the seas due to climate change. (Photo Credit: Bigstock via Inter Press Service)

[su_pullquote]“We will actually create coral nurseries where we will harvest live coral from some of the healthy colonies around the island.” — Kerricia Hobson[/su_pullquote]BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, (IPS) – The Eastern Caribbean nation of Grenada is following the example of its bigger neighbours Belize and Jamaica in taking action to restore coral reefs, which serve as frontline barriers against storm waves.

Coral reefs also play an extremely important role in the Caribbean tourism economy, as well as in food production and food security, but they have been adversely affected by rising sea temperatures and pollution.

An assessment of the vulnerability of Grenada, conducted between September and October 2014, identified several areas that are particularly vulnerable that did not already have interventions. Two such areas were Grand Anse on mainland Grenada and the Windward community on the sister island Carriacou.

Kerricia Hobson says Grenada is launching a coral reef restoration project, the first in the Eastern Caribbean. (Photo via Desmond Brown/IPS)