Since a couple of months, new developments have been added to Moorea’s underwater trail. Indeed, research studies by local scientists have enabled the installation of special areas for giant clams, and of corals nurseries.
Coral nursery
The local Research Center CRIOBE, in agreement with Te mana o te moana, has developped a coral nursery. This nursery will later provide many species of corals, that will be available without requiring more withdrawals from the natural environment.
Therefore, this project will help to reintroduce corals species when needed (for example when rehabilitating a damaged area), and to create new underwater trails for awareness raising on coral reefs.
This coral nursery is also interesting for scientific research: it enables scientists to study corals developping in a natural environment, without having to pick them off the reef.
Various growing tables have therefore been installed in the hotel’s interior lagoon.
Giant clams
Having various activities in the “research and development” area, the Tahiti Eco Clams society has been chosen by the Polynesian government and the CRISP to carry on a study on the re-settling of giant clams previously obtained by collecting. This experiment is very interesting regarding the potential development of unique eco-tourism activities.
The experiment has been set up in partnership with te mana o te moana within the underwater trail’s area.
Three pilot spots, each of them hosting 20 giant clams measuring about 12 cm, have been established on the fringe of the underwater trail’s area, and are regularly looked after by te mana o te moana.
