Sansha City Achieves Coral Restoration Milestone with 100,000 Seedlings Planted

Sansha, a city in Hainan Province of South China, has made remarkable progress in marine conservation by planting 100,000 coral seedlings, establishing a significant artificial coral breeding base and demonstration area within the Xisha Islands. So far, the area has cultivated a total of 143,000 coral seedlings, marking a substantial achievement for the region's efforts to restore marine ecosystems, as reported by the administration responsible for marine protected areas in Sansha.

Coral reefs, often referred to as the "rainforests" of the sea, are vital to preserving marine biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance around islands and reefs. To address the challenges posed by coral bleaching stemming from global climate change, Sansha initiated a coral planting project in 2023, focusing on the waters surrounding the Xuande Islands. This initiative incorporates advanced "tree-type coral nursery" technology that greatly boosts both the growth and survival rates of corals, allowing seedlings to grow up to 15 centimeters annually.

Additionally, the successful coral planting effort has led to the resurgence of rare marine species, including sea turtles and giant clams, within the planting zones. According to Li Yupei, the director of the marine protected areas administration, restoring coral reefs not only reconstructs essential marine habitats but also reinforces the food chain and bolsters the resilience of marine ecosystems. Moving forward, Sansha plans to integrate new technologies, such as satellite remote sensing and underwater robotics, to further enhance its marine ecological protection and monitoring efforts in the South China Sea.