Rebuilding Andaman Reef One Polyp at a Time

Coral reefs provide habitats and shelter for a multitude of fishes and important to the ocean ecosystems and protect the coastlines from the damaging tropical storms as part of rebuilding Andaman Reef.

In 2007, the tsunami believed to be 3m to 4m high hit Langkawi. The fifty-meter thick coral reef believed to be 8,000 years old. This reef fringing the Datai Bay took the brunt force of the tsunami.

What was left washed up on the muddy flats was dead and broken pieces of bleached corals.

The Andaman Resort and the Head of Marine Environment, Dr. Gerry Goeden undertook the massive task of conservation and putting together the various coral activities at the resort to bring about awareness, to educate the villagers and hotel guests about the corals.

Without living growing corals and a vibrant reef there will be no more clownfish or royal blue tang. Their Disney names being Nemo and Dory.

Story by Doris Lim