MSC Cruises Continues Coral Restoration Efforts

MSC Foundation — part of MSC Group, parent company of MSC Cruises —  continues its coral restoration efforts in the Bahamas. Most recently, the foundation outplanted more than 30 nursery-grown fragments of elkhorn coral. Elkhorn coral is a critically endangered species, with the population declining by as much as 97 percent in the Caribbean since the 1980s.

The foundation grows the coral fragments under optimal conditions at the Marine Conservation Center at Ocean Cay in the Bahamas. When the fragments are large enough for the outplanting process, which can take up to a year, they’re transported to natural reef sites. Once there, the coral are monitored regularly to ensure they survive.

The efforts come at a critical time.

“Exceptionally warm ocean conditions are forecast this year, which could place corals under significant stress,” said Emeline Bouchet, Marine Program manager, Marine Conservation Center. “The NOAA Coral Reef Watch’s July outlook [predicted] level 2 bleaching conditions for The Northern Bahamas into September. We therefore kept more fragments in our underwater nurseries, where the team can monitor and manage them closely. Restoration is not simply about planting more corals — it’s also about putting them in the best position to thrive.”