Surfrider Foundation: Rincón, Puerto Rico

July 18, 2007 - Coral Reef Restoration Project Gets Underway at Tres Palmas

The Tres Palmas Marine Reserve (RM3P) Debris Survey for Elk-horn Coral Restoration is a project that aims to alleviate some human pressures on Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) and the surrounding marine environment. Elkhorn coral, recently listed as a threatened species, is a remarkable branching coral that thrives in the shallow coastal waters and is readily accessible to snorkelers just a few fin strokes off of Steps Beach, Rincon, Puerto Rico. Marine debris poses a threat to corals and the living substrate as wave and current action act to force the debris over the fragile bottom breaking the delicate branching corals and scouring the substrate. This project aims to strategically survey for, and then to remove debris to restore the reef areas to a more pristine state.

There are three distinct phases to the project. a large-scale survey to census, document, and remove tires, clothing and other marine debris in the RM3P. Census and removal work are to include extensive manta tows and snorkel surveys establish or resurvey “clean zones” to examine debris accumulation rates and recovery at sites where debris was removed Perform education and outreach work for the schools and various groups and administrations of the community

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