An article headlined “BioRocks project presents innovative solutions to combat coral bleaching” on page 5 of Tuesday’s newspaper caught the attention. Caused by rising sea temperatures, this growing phenomenon threatens reefs all over the world.
What made the story more intriguing was mention of using of low-voltage electric currents to stimulate coral growth and resilience. One could imagine that particularly staunch environmentalists may have issues with such a far-reaching intrusion.
However, the approach reportedly showed success in the Maldives, Indonesia, Turks & Caicos and neighbouring St. Barth. Locally well-known marine advocate Tadzio Berevoets has evidently given his blessings for its application in St. Maarten.
The purists among us might argue that such meddling would be out of place, but ultimately it’s about saving the reefs and protecting them better against consequences of – also man-made – climate change. Just like with – for example – planting mangroves, if not harmful to other underwater life, this type of intervention seems justified considering the present dire circumstances including global warming.
Sometimes even Mother Nature needs a little help.
