Counting coral x Vomo Island
By Prerna Priyanka
A creative coral conservation campaign has been launched in Fiji through a partnership between Vomo Island Resort and the non-profit organisation, Counting Coral, that marries tourism, creative expression and marine conservation.
The partnership aims to forge a new path towards safeguarding the world’s endangered coral reefs and will provide a spectacular underwater art installation for future generations of visitors to Vomo.
Intricate coral reef ecosystems, which represent 25% of marine biodiversity, are in crisis, says Jolyon Collier, President and Founder of Counting Coral. Projections suggest a staggering 90% could be lost by 2030.
“Coral reefs are not just breathtaking natural wonders,” says Collier. “They are essential lifelines for marine biodiversity, providing food sources, protecting coastlines from erosion, offering medicinal compounds, and driving local economies through tourism and fishing.”
In 2022, Counting Coral installed its first sculptural coral gene bank at the Blue Lagoon Beach Resort on Nacula Islands. Now it is doing the same, on a larger scale, off Vomo Island. Launching the partnership recently, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Viliame Gavoka said: “Tourism should be about more than just enjoying nature’s beauty; it should be about preserving it for future generations.”
Also lending his support was Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, who noted: “By championing initiatives like sculptural coral gene banks, we are elevating awareness about the critical importance of coral reef conservation and inspiring others to take decisive action.”
Living sculptures
Collier says these gene banks are not just static structures but are living entities that provide a nurturing environment for coral fragments.
“These installations not only serve as platforms to support coral growth but also act as catalysts for global conversations about ocean conservation.”
Establishing sculptural coral gene banks sees the Counting Coral team carry out a rigorous gene selection process, identifying and propagating the most resilient coral species, and observing their growth and vitality on the sculptures.
“We select only corals that demonstrate resilience against rising temperatures and environmental stressors for further propagation,” Collier stated.
Meanwhile, Gaia Hines, Counting Coral’s marine biologist, emphasises the importance of understanding the genetic strains and mutations of coral.
“Our goal is to establish a continuous cycle of coral production, ensuring that we propagate only the strongest genes capable of withstanding the challenges posed by climate change.”
Counting Coral has now successfully planted 500 guardian corals on the reefs of Vomo Island.
Collier explains that coral fragments are cultivated in specially designed nurseries.
“We sit here frantically wiring corals as fast as we can,” he explains.
“Once wired, the corals are swiftly attached to the nursery using a handoff system involving skilled swim divers. We then screw the parts onto over 370 different elements.”
He says one of the most remarkable aspects of the conservation effort is the symbiotic relationship between the growing corals and the marine life around them, and that the corals off Vomo are thriving, with fish swimming around them—a crucial step in their cultivation.
“Without fish, corals suffocate… the fish’s tail movement cleans all the sand off,” the biologist elaborates.
The process also reveals a surprising transformation in the appearance of the coral.
“When we wire the branching purple corals onto the plates, the coral tissue starts to grow around the wire, turning it purple. The plate also begins to adopt this purple hue where the coral tissue adheres, indicating that the coral is ready to be harvested,” he adds.
It takes approximately two years for the tissue to develop into a substrate firmly attached to the plates or tubes in the nursery.
The fully grown corals are then considered “parent plants” due to their ability to combine the characteristics of animals, plants, and a distinct coral species that makes them unique.
The Counting Coral team plans to expand the nursery by constructing massive steel frames capable of housing up to 3,000 corals adjacent to the existing facility.
“We take tiny fragments from the parent plants and place them on these new nurseries. As they grow, these fragments are eventually reintroduced to the reef, initiating a continuous cycle of coral production,” Hines reveals.
Justin King, the General Manager of Vomo Island Resort, said the partnership with Counting Coral serves as a statement of hope and the power of collaborative innovation.
However, Counting Coral emphasises that the conservation of coral reefs is a collective responsibility.
Their “Top 7 Tips to Protect Our Beautiful Coral,” encourage both staff and guests to remain vigilant and informed about coral conservation practices.
“We are carving a promise in coral—a promise of resilience, renewal, and a shared vision for a sustainable future,” said Collier.
Counting Coral’s Top 7 Tips to protect Fiji’s coral reefs
- Use reef-safe sunscreen: choose sunscreens without chemicals that harm coral reefs.
- Avoid touching corals: Physical contact can damage these delicate organisms.
- Practice responsible snorkelling and diving: Avoid damaging reefs with your movements.
- Do not disturb marine life: Interfering with marine animals disrupts their natural behaviours.
- Dispose of rubbish properly: Waste, especially plastics, is harmful to coral reefs.
- Educate yourself and others: Awareness about coral reefs is key to their conservation.
- Support conservation efforts: Projects like the sculptural coral gene bank are vital for making a difference.
