Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA), part of optical equipment firm Canon, is teaming up with Nature Seychelles and the Coral Spawning Lab to establish a land-based coral breeding facility in the Seychelles.
The facility will promote a ‘a new method of coral regeneration in the region’, the company said, with Canon providing both investment for its construction and operation, as well as imaging equipment to enhance observation and documentation of coral spawning.
The equipment will help researchers document coral spawning events with greater precision, and will enhance Nature Seychelles’ new Assisted Recovery of Corals (ARC) facility, which is aimed at boosting coral restoration efforts to save reefs from the effect of climate change.
Beyond coral gardening
Historically, coral reef restoration in the Seychelles has relied on the ‘coral gardening’ technique, where coral fragments are selected from existing reefs and grown in nurseries, before being transplanted back into degraded areas.
However, this process often results in reefs populated by genetically identical corals, which are therefore unable to routinely withstand the events that degrade them, such as coral bleaching events. This makes coral gardening a ‘temporary fix rather than a long-term solution’, according to Canon.
Nature Seychelles’ facility, which will be developed by the UK-based Coral Spawning Lab, will create a genetically diverse bank of coral species with greater resistance to environmental stress.
‘Genetically identical’
“Currently, we’re essentially cloning corals, creating reefs of genetically identical species,” explains Dr Nirmal Shah, CEO of Nature Seychelles. “Evolution thrives on diversity – the strong, the weak, the healthy, and everything in between. To build truly resilient reefs, we need to embrace true diversity.
“Canon’s partnership, alongside Coral Spawning Lab’s expertise allows us to do just that, by enabling us to breed corals and create a genetic bank of resilient species. Canon’s technology will also allow us to unlock the secrets of coral reproduction, leading to more effective conservation strategies and, ultimately, inspiring true change in how we protect and regenerate these vital ecosystems “
Elsewhere, Peter Bragg, sustainability and government affairs director at Canon EMEA, said that the company’s imaging technology can “play a significant role in building a more sustainable future for small island nations facing the challenges of climate change. By providing the tools to see, understand, and share the story of coral reefs, we hope to empower communities and raise awareness to protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come.” Read more here.
