Nov 30, 2018
FREGATE ISLAND, SEYCHELLES – November 2018 – Fregate Island Private, a luxury eco retreat in the Seychelles, is pleased to announce its partnership with Coralive and Blancpain Ocean Commitment—the beginning of a two-year study of coral restoration methods.
The International Year of the Reef 2018 (IYOR18) provides a great opportunity to bring more attention to the importance of coral ecosystems. With the ongoing effects of climate change and overfishing, corals face numerous threats that affect their growth, dispersal, and resilience to severe weather events, such as bleaching and tropical storms. Coral restoration efforts help to initiate the re-generation process of coral reefs. Furthermore, the application of mineral accretion technology increases survival rates among small coral fragments, accelerates coral growth and increases resilience against future bleaching events.
In support of IYOR18, and in partnership with Coralive and Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC), a new coral propagation project has been conceived off the coastal waters of Frégate Island, Seychelles. The project involved installing eight metal structures (six dome shaped and two ground mesh) on top of the affected coral reef. Coral fragments (corals of opportunity) collected from surrounding areas were attached to the structures and are being sustained by an electrical impulse of the mineral accretion technology.
The work initiated by Coralive has come to a successful end, with all artificial structures secured in the ocean (four electrified and four without electricity—to act as a control). The location of the structures have been carefully chosen and identified as areas in which were severely damaged by the most recent bleaching event in 1998, which destroyed close to 90% of all corals in the Seychelles— it is these happenings that make coral restoration necessary.
Managing Director of Coralive, Ahmad “Aki” Allahgholi has acknowledged that the project is an important step in being able to ‘scale-up’ coral restoration initiatives in the region.
Allahgholi stated: “Corals are under greater threat than ever before, due to such factors as overfishing and climate change which results in bleaching, over fishing and tropical storms. These scenarios make coral restoration necessary in order to help nature recover faster and become more resilient to future threats. I am very excited that Frégate Island Private, with the support of Blancpain, gave Coralive the opportunity to initiate a project to jumpstart the regenerating process.”
The maintenance work will be continued by the Frégate Island Private Conservation Manager, Richard Baxter and his team following further training from Coralive.
The island’s Conservation Manager stated: “We are committed to rehabilitating the coral reef around the island and, along with many other great coral restoration projects, contributing to protecting the coral reefs of the Seychelles.”
About Blancpain Ocean Commitment www.blancpain-ocean-commitment.com
Since 1953, following the launch of the first modern diving watch, the Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain has built and developed a special relationship with the oceans. The oldest watchmaking brand in the world focuses its activities on the exploration and preservation of the oceans under the Blancpain Ocean Commitment label. Blancpain’s mission in the area of environmental initiatives for the preservation of the oceans always focuses on long-term projects.
About Fregate Island Private www.fregate.com
Frégate Island Private is a multi award-winning luxury eco retreat and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Traveller Made, Virtuoso and of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World. Set in sapphire Indian Ocean waters, Fregate Island Private’s mission is to preserve the pristine nature of the island while providing guests a most unique luxury experience. The resort features 16 secluded villas each with an infinity pool from where dolphins and manta rays can be seen swimming in the ocean below. Guests regularly encounter endangered Hawksbill and Green turtles on one Frégate Island Privates seven private beaches, walk among the 2nd largest population of Aldabra giant tortoises, and swim above arrays of tropical fish guarding brightly colored corals. Restaurants with international and seychellois chefs showcase innovative cuisine inspired by exotic fruits & vegetables grown in the islands own plantation. Watersports, nature walks, luxury spa treatments and yoga, compliment the ultimate in privacy, seclusion and security.
