18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Coral restoration project: the outplanting

Marine biologist out-planting and monitoring staghorn coral new clones at the restoration site. The square bamboo's frames used as a structural support for the coral growing is one of the methods used by the scientist to outplant the single branches nursed previously on the "coral trees". Each new single branch is fixed onto a bamboo structure and will fuse with the one next to it. The structure will dissolve in a few years leaving only the new grown coral patch.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Kralendijk, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Camera: NIKON D810
Copyright: © Lorenzo Mittiga