Coral reefs, often referred to as the rainforests of the sea, are some of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. However, these vibrant underwater ecosystems are facing unprecedented threats due to climate change, pollution, overfishing, and coastal development. Coral restoration has emerged as a critical tool in the fight against coral reef degradation. In this blog post, we'll delve into various active coral restoration methods and discuss why coral restoration is so crucial for the health of our oceans.

A juvenile starry pufferfish (Arothron stellatus) displays vibrant aposematic colouration, warning predators of its toxicity.

A school of bigeye snappers (Lutjanus lutjanus) create a unique formation at Chumphon Pinnacle, Koh Tao with the help of a delicate sensory system.

A malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus) perches at the reef edge following a busy night launching stealthy ambush attacks on unsuspecting prey. Traps are commonly used around the world to catch large groupers resting near the reef edge – often a much easier target that other high value fish swimming mid-water. 

Two juvenile longfin batfish (Platax teira) peform a drifting swimming behaviour close to the surface, where their behaviour and morphological features which closely mimic floating debris keeps them out of danger from predators lurking beneath.

A comb jelly lures in prey with a dazzling light show of vibrant colours pulsing rhythmically down its entire body.

A prawn goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) peers out of its hole, acting as a sentinel for its mutualistic partner, an Alpheid shimp 

 A Box jellyfish (Tamoya spp..) migrates from the deep ocean to feed on zooplankton living at shallower depths.

Hermit crabs are decapod crustaceans found all over the world in a diverse range of marine ecosystems. In coral reef ecosystems, these crabs are often found on sandy sea beds or rocky surfaces, and are occasionally found living on coral branches. They are omnivores with a diet mainly consisting of detritus.

A pickhandle barracuda (Sphyraena jello) swims in the open ocean where it can single out its prey and engage in a high-speed chase.

A Blue Spotted Ribbontail Ray (Taeniura lymma) resting under a reef overhang, waiting for the sun to set before beginning a hunt. During high tide, these rays are often seen to migrate inshore to sand flats where they feed on invertebrates and bottom dwelling fish that inhabit these shallower sandy areas.

A Lagoon Damselfish (Hemiglyphidodon plagiometopon) living amongst an arborescent branching coral.

Sea anemones (Heteractis magnifica) competing for habitable space on the reef.

A variety of hard corals providing important habitats for several reef fish and invertebrates, creating a biodiversity like nowhere else on the planet.

Damselfish, alongside clownfish, are both members of the family Pomacentridae, and are two of the most abundant reef-dwelling fish. They often live in and around coral reefs or sheltered sandy lagoons; however, some species have been recorded to live up to depths exceeding 100m. Primarily herbivores known for cultivating algae ‘gardens’, they may eat some small invertebrates and anemones, but these typically form a small part of their diet. These fish are most well known for their territorial nature and nesting behaviours; unlike most families of pelagic fish, the damsel fish lay their eggs attached to a substrate (a solid object such as coral, rock, and other debris).

Question: Does frequency of divers on dive site locations alter the response and recovery time of gobies to perceived threats?

Throughout the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans, species of Goby fish (Gobiidae) form a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with species of alpheid shrimps, commonly known as pistol or snapping shrimp (belonging to the family Alpheidae). Interactions between species lead to different advantages and benefices for all the concerned individuals, for instance protection against predators, food supplies or a safe place for breeding (Karplus and Thompson, 2011; Karplus, 1974).

I was curious and fascinated by this buddy team since my first time in the ocean, practising my skills over the sand. Witnessing these sentinel gobies guarding their little shared kingdom with their powerhouse shrimp, rearranging the furniture. With Koh Tao being one of most popular places to dive, I wanted to find out if higher diver traffic on dive sites affected these species, and in what way. So, I embarked on a 2-week research project to find this out.

As Marine Ecology Interns, we have spent the last few weeks alternating between the classroom and the ocean, learning about fish and coral identification, their importance in ecosystems, and how we can protect and preserve our incredible reefs. We have participated in many clean-up dives, biodiversity assessments, and removal of certain species threatening coral health and growth, such as drupella snails and the crown of thorns starfish. 

 As part of my 4-week eco-internship at Roctopus, I assisted in a variety of ongoing research projects such as biodiversity surveying and artificial reef construction and maintenance. In addition to this, I had the opportunity to conduct my own personal research project. I wanted my project to focus on the impacts of the recreational SCUBA industry on coral health.