Rebuild our local reef structures
INTERCONTINENTAL Fiji Golf Resort & Spa started its coral propagation program with Reef Safari aiming to rebuild the local reef structure by placing coral fragments on metal frames around the resort's home reef. Rejuvenating the ecosystem while allowing guests to see their corals grow over time through online updates.
The main goal is to maintain pieces of coral that often breaks off the reef and prevent it from dying or bumping into other corals.
This strategy has short-term and long-term goals. The short-term goals are to improve the reef structure, which will see more fish life move to these areas.
How Does Coral Planting Work?
Our Coral Planting Safari starts every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 9am – meet at the Reef Safari Bure, located near Toba Bar & Grill. Guided by our marine biologist, you will start off by making cement balls, or 'cookies', followed by a boat ride to rescue coral fragments for planting. Reef Safari regularly maintains the frames and follows a strict monitoring program by taking photographs of all the frames every six months. This allows us to follow the coral growth and refine our propagation techniques over time.
What are the results so far?
The initial stage of our artificial reef project was successfully set up in early 2023. We identified two sites around the resort, representing up to 3,000 coral fragments to be planted in the next 12 months. To ensure the success of the program, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has appointed a dedicated Reef Safari marine biologist, resident at the resort, to lead weekly interactive coral-plating activities, conduct marine life educational workshops and guided snorkelling tours.
All the coral frames are monitored every six months and photos are uploaded on the resorts webpage.