The collection of small colonies from the natural environment, with part of their substratum (limestone, derived from hard corals) damages the reef environment.

It is possible to cut terminal branches from the natural large colonies, having a great regeneration power. Those, fixed to alternative substrata, settle quickly and resume growth. Thus it is possible to produce small colonies, easy to insert in any domestic aquaria, without serious damage to the natural colonies and to the reef.

This was the startin point for our experiments in Manado. In 2005 the first soft coral farm, for vegetative propagation, has been started up, to produce and distribute worldwide cultured soft corals.

The location is Tumbak bay, North Sulawesi, Indonesia: a sheltered area, ideal for raising cultured soft corals.

Tumbak inhabitants are a Bajau (sea gipsy) community. The sea bottom of the bay have been heavily exploited through different fishing techniques, including destructive ones (explosives). At present it hosts an abundant and diverse soft coral community, quickly spreading on the damaged reef.

Collection of soft corals: our scientists' team working with the local people.

The correct fixing technique is shown.

Soft corals are fixed on fragments of coconut shell: a light material, very resistent to salt water soaking, readily available in the area.

Fixation is made with vegetal fibers, that will decompose naturally after allowing the soft coral enough time to settle on the new substratum.

The soft coral fragments are transferred to the ocean farm.

After experimentation of different solutions, now we are using a bamboo submerged support, on which the substrata are tied.

In conclusion, our Soft Coral Farm project has reached the following goals:

• Produces cultured soft corals suitable for the domestic aquaria, through a sustainable culturing method, with a limited impact on the natural environment.
• Gives to the small Indonesian community of Tumbak an alternative livelyhood, a sustainable system of marine resources exploitation.
• Contributes to the rehabilitation of an area heavily damaged by destructive fishing practices.
• Exploiting only the resident soft coral communities, avoids accidental introduction of alien species, of pathogens, of exogenous genes (problems often connected with mariculture).

Schwartz Aquaculture Technologies
distributes worldwide the cultured soft corals.

Info: e-mail