Coral reefs in Con Dao show signs of recovery
After suffering severe bleaching in late 2024 due to extreme weather, coral reefs in Con Dao National Park are gradually bouncing back, offering hope for the marine ecosystem.
In late 2024, Con Dao National Park experienced severe coral bleaching due to extreme weather, causing significant coral mortality in shallow waters, with some areas reporting up to 90 percent loss. However, recent surveys indicate promising signs of recovery for the marine ecosystem. After the 2024 heat event, many bleached coral colonies have regained their natural colors, with young corals attaching to rocky surfaces and various reef fish species returning.
Con Dao National Park has implemented measures to aid restoration, including regular monitoring at 21 fixed sites, launching a coral nursery, and expanding mangrove forests to prevent coastal erosion. During 2026-2030, the park aims to restore 5-10 hectares of degraded coral reefs and plant about 10 hectares of mangrove forests.
The local community, including fishermen, has become more aware of the importance of coral conservation and actively reports suspicious activities to authorities. Authorities are collaborating with Con Dao National Park to raise public awareness and enforce conservation regulations. With growing numbers of tourists visiting Con Dao for diving tours, strict management measures, such as monitoring boat anchors, controlling diving and boat anchoring, and conducting regular patrols, are necessary to prevent damage to fragile coral reefs.
Written by urgent.news from SGGP English Edition's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
