Students from the Marine Biology program at the Autonomous University of Yucatán, winners of the "Se Impulsa Ideas" competition, launched their project entitled "Social Participation for Coral Reef Conservation in the Alacranes Reef National Park with an Emphasis on Restoration of Endangered Coral Species."
During the first trip to Alacranes Reef National Park in November 2017, students established two elkhorn coral nursery sites near Perez Island. Acropora palmata and deer antler Acropora cervicornisThese coral species are in danger of extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. During the first trip to the National Park, 200 coral fragments were placed in 2 m2 nurseries.2 to A. cervicornis.
In March 2018, the students surveyed the nurseries and found that the coral fragments survived (90%) and even had optimal growth and attachment of the fragments on the cobble-based substrates used. In April 2018, the students established three more nurseries for a total of 500 fragments in 5 m2 of A. cervicornisBy May 2018, it is expected to establish 250 fragments in 5 m2 of the elkhorn coral A. palmata.
