Belgian dredging company Jan De Nul builds coral farm in the Maldives
Belgian dredging group Jan De Nul has begun construction of a coral reef restoration farm in the Maldives, the company announced on Friday. The aim of the AquaReef project is to "develop a blueprint for large-scale coral reef restoration" that can be applied anywhere in the world.
The farm will cover approximately 2,500 square metres and consist of ten specialised containers powered by solar energy. Construction is expected to be completed by autumn. Coral Vita, an American expert in land-based coral farming, will then begin the cultivation process. Over a 24-month period, the farm aims to grow more than 15,000 corals, with a particular focus on species that are more resilient to ocean warming.
"With this project, we want to make coral reef restoration as efficient and affordable as possible. When we protect coastlines through beach nourishment or breakwater infrastructure, we want to offer our clients the possibility to combine this with coral reef restoration. The reefs strengthen coastal protection and, on top of that, deliver huge ecological benefits," said Noa Ligot, senior marine engineer at Jan De Nul.
Multiple restoration projects
AquaReef is not Jan De Nul's only nature restoration initiative. The company is also working on oyster reef restoration in the North Sea, in collaboration with Ghent University, and plans to install oyster reefs in a Natura 2000 area (a nature protection area inside the EU) later this year.
About half of all coral reefs have been lost since the 1970s, mainly due to rising temperatures, pollution and overfishing. Scientists warn that over 90 per cent of remaining reefs could disappear by 2050. Coral reefs are home to a quarter of all marine species and are vital for food security, coastal protection and biodiversity – particularly in the Maldives, where society is especially dependent on them.
#FlandersNewsService | © AFP PHOTO / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
Related news
