Safeguarding the Genetic Diversity of Bonaire’s Coral Reefs

Safeguarding the Genetic Diversity of Bonaire's Coral Reefs Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire (RRFB) uses selective breeding and assisted fertilization to increase the resilience of Bonaire’s coral reefs in the face of disease and rapidly warming waters. RRFB and partner organization Secore International share tools, expertise, and resources to strengthen populations of key coral species in ...

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Adjusting Our Strategy Amidst SCTLD

Reef Renewal Bonaire Strengthens Coral Resilience Amidst Growing Threats Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire (RRFB) adjusts their restoration strategy to build coral resilience to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) and other threats to Bonaire’s reefs. RRFB aims to establish a land-based facility to bolster their larval propagation efforts, a vital step towards ensuring the genetic ...

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100+ Gather to Celebrate ReeFiesta 2023!

ReeFiesta 2023: A Celebration of Community and Coral Restoration in Bonaire Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire (RRFB) hosted its 5th annual ReeFiesta event on Thursday, June 1st, 2023 to celebrate World Reef Awareness Day, with support from official sponsors World Wildlife Fund, Ocean Oasis Beach Club, and Orco Bank. Over 150 community members and 13 local ...

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Announcing ReeFiesta 2023

ReeFiesta 2023: Let’s Celebrate Our Reefs, Together! RRFB is hosting a free, all-day event on June 1st, 2023 to celebrate World Reef Awareness Day. Divers of any skill level and non-divers are invited to gain hands-on, coral restoration experience and celebrate Bonaire’s reefs in the company of like-minded community members. Download PDF 16 MAY 2023 ...

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Get to Know Our Team: Francesca Virdis

  Francesca Virdis Chief Operating Officer Francesca Virdis has played an integral role in coral restoration efforts on Bonaire since 2010, 2 years before the inception of Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire. Over the last decade, she’s spearheaded the growth of the organization from just 2 small nurseries to 13, not to mention almost 20 restoration ...

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Outplanting a Boulder, More Resilient Reef

For the first time ever, RRFB has outplanted 3 species of boulder coral back to Bonaire’s reefs: lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis), mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata), and great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa). In late 2022, we began outplanting boulder coral fragments that were propagated via fragmentation almost 2 years prior and reared in nurseries. ...

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Nursery-reared Boulder Corals Outplanted for First Time

Outplanting a Boulder, More Resilient Reef In a historic first, RRFB began outplanting 3 species of nursery-reared boulder coral. By expanding the number of species they grow and outplant, RRFB improves the diversity and overall resilience of Bonaire’s reefs. Download PDF 25 JANUARY 2023 (Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean) For the first time in history, 3 species ...

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Restoring endangered Staghorn and Elkhorn corals on Bonaire

Outplanted Elkhorn Corals
For 10 years, Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire has been restoring the critically endangered Staghorn and Elkhorn corals on Bonaire. Through coral gardening techniques, the Acropora palmata and Acropora cervicornis are grown in our coral nurseries and are outplanted on the reef. Our restoration sites show that our methods have been successful, as our nursery-grown corals ...

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Coral spawning predictions for Bonaire 2022

Grooved Brain Coral Spawning
Coral spawning is a magical phenomenon that occurs when corals sexually reproduce, which happens every year on reefs around the world. The Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) has published its 2022 coral spawning prediction calendar for Bonaire and the South Caribbean. With this report, our team at the Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire has ...

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A Decade of Restoration

Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire Celebrates 10 Years of Coral Restoration Download PDF 26 APRIL 2022 It has been 10 years since the first coral nursery was installed in Bonaire, kick-starting the island coral restoration project and giving a helping hand to our beautiful and endangered coral reefs. Fast forward to today, and Reef Renewal Foundation ...

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