Marine biologists are relocating thousands of coral colonies from Galathea Bay ahead of a major port project in the Nicobar Islands, a science brief published Friday explains.
Teams fragment healthy polyps, grow them in submerged nurseries and plan to transplant survivors to protected reef flats less disturbed by dredging.
The operation responds to court directives demanding mitigation for endangered branching species hosting fish nurseries.
Salinity and temperature shocks during transport remain the primary mortality risk, monitored by dive loggers every six hours.
Fishermen worry relocation sites may overlap with traditional trap lines, prompting district meetings on compensation.
Success metrics will track polyp attachment rates at 90-day intervals before monsoon swells complicate diving schedules.
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Sources:
https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/knowledge-nugget-coral-translocation-reef-nicobar-project-upsc-10737717/