Charles Boch from University of California, Sta. Barbara, has been in the country for two months completing his Ph.D. in Coral Reef Science. He specializes in using simple cost-effective methods to test different restoration techniques which he said might be used on large scales.
“The materials I use can be bought at the local hardware stores or over the Internet,” he said.
He added that if Palau will require restoration measures because of ship groundings, anchoring damage, or other human impacts, the country might able to use these techniques.
“Bear in mind, if people are to do coral restoration, the causes of damage to an area must be first addressed and some areas may recover naturally without any help from people,” he explained.
Aside from doing coral restorations, Boch also monitors coral reef spawning. He’s been here during the whole coral reef spawning season — March, April and May.
“We’re finding that the light may have had an effect on coral reef spawning. It’s not something new,” he said. The general idea, according to him, is that corals spawn around the full moon.
His work will be done in a couple of days and he’ll be back to California to complete his studies.
“I chose to work in Palau because of it’s beautiful islands, reefs and it’s great people,” he said. He added that staff at Palau International Coral Reef Center has great local knowledge. “And the reefs are really nice to dive,” he shared.
