A team of scientists and innovators belonging to the Coral Hub team out of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology over in Saudi Arabia have created a high-tech coral system that is designed to make it possible to cultivate robust and healthy coral in nurseries before transporting them to coral reef beds out in the ocean.
The 'Maritechture' coral system makes it possible for interested parties to grow bits of coral in nurseries. The coral can then be moved to coral reef beds by trained scuba divers. The system comprises limestone Tiles that hold the coral and are stored in Crates, which are used for transportation. Meanwhile, coral-based Nails are used to situate the coral on the reef, while modular Pods offer a dwelling for the coral.
The 'Maritechture' coral system is said to be used in Saudi Arabia's Shushah Island, with the technology being commercialized through the Ocean Revive company, which will offer it to interested clients in various locations.
Transplantable Coral Systems
This System Enables Transportation Of Nursery-Grown Corals to Reefs
Trend Themes
1. Transplantable Coral Systems - Creating technology that allows coral to be cultivated in nurseries before being transported to coral reef beds is a trend that can lead to healthier reefs and more sustainable management of marine ecosystems.
2. Maritechture - The development of the Coral Hub team's modular Pods, Crates, and Nails offers a disruptive innovation opportunity to improve marine ecosystem restoration and management through highly adaptable technology.
3. Coral Revitalization - The development of scalable technologies like the 'Maritechture' coral system enables the potential for widespread coral revitalization efforts in industries ranging from tourism to fisheries management.
Industry Implications
1. Marine Conservation - The 'Maritechture' coral system opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the marine conservation industry through new techniques for coral restoration and preservation.
2. Eco-tourism - The advancements in coral transplant technology lead to new disruptive innovation opportunities within the eco-tourism industry by offering opportunities for sustainable coral reef viewing experiences.
3. Fisheries Management - The ability to cultivate and transplant coral into marine ecosystems can provide new, sustainable habitats for fish populations, presenting disruptive innovation opportunities in the fisheries management industry.