Reef Rehabilitation Experiments Edition 2: A Review of Various Approaches

Chen, S.Y., Chelliah, A. J., Lau, C. M., Nadhirah, R., & Hyde, J. 2018. Reef Rehabilitation Experiments Edition 2: A Review of Various Approaches. Reef Check Malaysia. 28p.

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Foreword

In late 2009, Reef Check Malaysia was approached by a group of snorkelling guides from Pangkor Island who were concerned about the condition of their snorkelling sites. Development, tourists and climate change have all taken their toll, and today snorkelling sites around Pangkor are in poor condition, the guides’ livelihoods at risk.

The snorkelling guides asked if Reef Check Malaysia could help to improve the sites, and we agreed to try. Thus began our first experiment in coral reef rehabilitation. Since then, we have tried many designs at different locations, faced numerous challenges – and we have had our successes. Many lessons have been learned, and we have incorporated these into our approach and methodology, as part of a process of continual improvement.

This document updates an earlier edition, reviews our various installations and presents the results at each, highlighting the lessons learned to date. Our aim is to assist others who are considering reef rehabilitation programmes to avoid the mistakes we made, and to benefit from our experience.