Feeding Coral at Night Under Ultraviolet (UV) Lights

Before we tell you about the very cool Coral Feeding Event under ultraviolet lights, let’s take a moment to understand a little more about coral.

What is coral and why is it so important?

Over the past few years, we have become fascinated with coral. While unknowing divers may consider coral to be a ‘rock’, we have come to know Dominica’s coral intimately. If you’ve been diving with us recently, you’ll know we are “crazy for coral!”

Coral is, in fact, an animal. It produces a mineral (calcium carbonate) that becomes the structure of the coral reef. Many corals also contain living algae, working together to provide nutrients and feed the coral. There are more than 24 species of hard coral here on the Nature Island, ranging in size, shape, colour and behaviour.

In a nutshell, this is what you need to know about coral:

1. Coral is an animal – as well as a mineral and a plant.
2. Coral is the building block of the marine ecosystem.
3. Nothing is more important for a reef’s health than the health of the coral who give birth to it.

When many corals come together and create a reef, the reef has countless benefits:

• Reef fish who thrive because of the coral provide food and income for local communities
• Coral reefs protect coastal land from storm surge
• Coral supports more than 1 million species living in the ocean

Although each individual coral is small, as a whole, coral is an integral factor in human existence and survival.

Why do we have to help coral, doesn’t it just grow in the ocean?

A New Disease in 2021

In 2021, an invasive disease called Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTL-D) reached the waters here in Dominica, after spreading southward from Florida. It devastated Caribbean reefs as it travelled, killing stony corals such as Brain Corals, Star corals and Maze coral and creating one of the reef’s biggest challenges for survival.

We were fortunate that we knew it was coming, and with the help of our Fisheries Division, we were able to intervene as soon as it reached us, treating our corals and protecting many from this devastating disease. In addition to treating (and sometimes curing) corals in place in the sea, we also established safe zones for them by building seven coral trees. The next step was to bring the coral out of the sea and into nursery tanks.

Environmental Challenges in 2023

After a few years of treating, monitoring, measuring, photographing and observing our hard coral in the sea, we were ready to take the next step. To ensure the biodiversity of Dominica’s coral, we needed a ‘safe zone’ out of the sea, in a controlled environment. As sea temperatures reached record heights in 2023, causing extensive coral bleaching, we had to move fast to protect species of coral native to Dominica.

The answer came in a collaboration between marine conservationists from Nature Island Dive, REZDM, LAMA of the SSMR, Oceans Forward and Dominica’s Fisheries Division. Re-purposing a damaged building, a partial roof was constructed and four tanks were set up to become the coral nurseries for preserving and observing Dominica’s hard coral.

Named in honor of the founder of REZDM, the Daniel Langlois Coral Rescue Center (DLCRC) houses nursery tanks where coral are monitored daily. Well, monitored by the second really, with the aid of some hi-tech apps and sensors, so that at any given time we can remotely access the temperature, salinity, and other important health factors to ensure the coral is safe.

• The coral center is open on a daily basis, and visitors are welcome to stop in any time.
• Entrance is Free, but donations are kindly accepted via a QR Code, so bring your phone!
• We also encourage you to share images of your visit on Oceans Forward’s social media channels to help spread the word.

“Evening Coral Feeding Under the Lights” is Born

Beginning in January 2025, we created an event to help educate the public about these amazing creatures: “Coral Feeding Under the UV Lights.” You can download the PDF here.

Every Wednesday evening at 6pm, you can visit the Coral Center to watch the coral ‘come alive’ under the special UV (Fluoro) lights that show off their night time beauty. Using yellow filters to view the hard corals, you can see an amazing variety of vibrant colours. You can also observe their behavior as they feed – corals extend polyps from their hard structure into the water to gather food. These are sights you don’t normally see while scuba diving or snorkeling, and it is all seen from the safety of dry land!

 

About the DLCRC

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The concept of the Coral Rescue Center was initially created by marine conservationists from Nature Island Dive, REZDM, Oceans Forward and Dominica’s Fisheries Division. From 2021 to mid-2024, the coral conservation work was done in situ (in the sea) by volunteers from the local community.

When the need for a land-based Coral Center became apparent, Oceans Forward Inc. (a non-profit in Dominica and the US) stepped in to provide funding and become the primary sponsor of the project. The Coral Center opened its doors in June 2024. Oceans Forward has also received funding from MPA Connecct, AGGRA and the McPike-Zima Foundation for this critical conservation project. The Center now has a volunteer Director, a Volunteer manager, a volunteer administrative assistant, and one full-time employee. Other volunteers contribute from time to time as they see the work being done and offer to help.