A famous name and 3D printing combine to aid Caribbean coral

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Sep 13, 12:04 AM EDT

A famous name and 3D printing combine to aid Caribbean coral

KRALENDIJK, Bonaire (AP) -- Vast coral reefs surrounding this island are considered by many experts to be the healthiest and best-protected in the Caribbean, and that makes Bonaire an ideal spot to test whether 3D printing technology can help preserve these vital marine habitats around the world.

A partnership that includes the foundation of ocean explorer Fabien Cousteau will be using the rapidly developing layered printing technology to design structures that are virtually identical to the ornate natural coral formations that have long made the southern Caribbean island a top diving destination. They hope their artificial creations will foster natural growth of the reef faster than other methods.

"Essentially we will be able to print rock in quotations," Cousteau said.

The artificial coral will be made of sandstone and limestone and will be deployed just offshore from the Harbour Village Beach Club, a Bonaire resort that is active in conservation efforts and is a partner with Cousteau's Ocean Learning Center in the project.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CB_BONAIRE_3D_PRINTED_CORAL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-09-13-00-04-41

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3D printed coral will bring reefs back to life
Megan Treacy

Megan Treacy (@mtreacy)
Technology / Clean Technology
September 12, 2016

We've been seeing evidence for years of how climate change and pollution are affecting coral reefs. The warmer waters and rising acidification have lead to coral bleaching and often coral death. When corals suffer, the life that depends on them is affected too.

Coral reefs make up only 0.2 percent of our oceans, but they are home to over 25 percent of all marine fish species plus other species like sea turtles. Reefs protect shorelines from major storms and provide food and jobs to people who live near them. Essentially, coral reefs are incredibly important to both the health of oceans and well-being of humans.

There have been lots of different types of efforts for preserving and rebuilding coral reefs, most of them requiring lots of time and meticulous labor by divers, but one island in the Caribbean has found a new approach: 3D printing.

The Harbour Village Beach Club on the island of Bonaire has teamed up with ocean preservationist Fabien Cousteau, grandson of the famous Jacques Cousteau, to use the additive manufacturing technology to restore the reefs. The island and Cousteau will work together to design and print artificial corals that are identical in size, shape, texture and even chemical makeup of the native corals.

More:
http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/3d-printed-coral-will-bring-reefs-back-life.html

[mnhtnbb]

1. Harbour Village is a glorious spot--it's where I celebrated my 65th birthday last March.

We have friends who live there. She has done a lot of underwater photography.

While we were there, divers were out constructing coral trees in the sheltered swimming area just off the beach. It has the best walk-in from the beach
snorkeling I've ever seen and we've been to many of the Caribbean islands and Hawaiian islands over the years.

You can see photos of the coral trees being built here: http://www.harbourvillage.com/coral-restoration-foundation-bonaire

[Judi Lynn]

3. You have made this story come alive! How exciting it would be to see them in action! Thank you. n/t

[randome]

2. That is awesome.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]“If you're not committed to anything, you're just taking up space.”
Gregory Peck, Mirage (1965)[/center][/font][hr]

[Judi Lynn]

4. Had no idea this could be done until seeing the article! Thank you. n/t