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ReefGrazers to restore Caribbean corals and support local fisheries

Published on: September 2, 2024

A new initiative called the ReefGrazers project is set to begin in September, aiming to restore coral reefs in the Caribbean and support sustainable fishing practices. The project, located in Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, involves several organizations, including universities and local nature management groups.

Unified efforts for nature restoration

ReefGrazers is a collaborative effort involving Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen Marine Research, the Public Entity Saba, STINAPA Bonaire, STENAPA, Saba Conservation Foundation, and WWF-Netherlands. This partnership was developed to address the urgent need to conserve Caribbean corals, which have been severely damaged since the 1970s by climate change, hurricanes, diseases, and pollution. These factors have led to widespread algae overgrowth on many reefs, making it difficult for corals to recover. This problem is largely due to the decline of algae-eating animals, whose populations have been greatly reduced by overfishing and disease.

Researcher introducting West Indian top shell (whelk) on artificial reef. Photo credit: Alwin Hylkema

Increase in algae-eating animals

Healthy coral reefs are crucial for protecting coastlines, supporting fisheries, and attracting tourists, all of which are essential to the Caribbean's economy and culture. The ReefGrazers project aims to restore these reefs by reintroducing native algae-eating species, such as the Caribbean king crab, West Indian sea egg, and West Indian top shell (whelk), to help control algae. The project will study the current populations of these species, their impact on the reefs, and the effectiveness of efforts to boost their numbers.

Restored West Indian top shells (whelks) on a Moreef, a modular restoration reef. Photo credit: Alwin Hylkema.

Sustainable fisheries

It will also explore sustainable fishing practices that could emerge from the successful restocking of these animals, offering new opportunities for small-scale fisheries. This initiative is important not only for Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba but it could also serve as a model for protecting coral reefs throughout the Caribbean.