The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is actively investigating damage to the coral reef in Kewalo Basin, suspected to be caused by a boat anchor. Hawaii News Now reported that a dive team from the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) has begun assessing the damage by measuring the reef and taking inventory of the impacted coral species.
Anchors are advised to be carefully monitored after they’ve been set to avoid damage, especially with fluctuating current and wind conditions. Kim Fuller, a DAR aquatic biologist, stressed the need for boaters to anchor in the sand using a proper anchor, as to not cause disruption to the delicate marine environment. "It's illegal to injure or damage or to take coral resources. If someone wants to work with coral, a special activity permit from DAR is required," Fuller explained, in a statement obtained by Hawaii News Now.
The investigation revealed two scars approximately 80 feet in length, and of the 200 corals affected, the DAR dive team managed to right 74 corals. According to the dive team's lead, Fuller stated on KITV, "There were some damaged corals, ranging from ones that were broken off the hard bottom, as well as some corals that were fragmented, or broken into pieces." The team's effort to reposition overturned corals aims to aid in the resilience and longevity of the living tissue for potential future restoration work.
Mitigating further damage is paramount to the DLNR, as the area serves as critical habitat for marine life and is a favourite among recreational divers. Dive teams work not only to assess, but to also to immediately begin remediation. "This area is an important habitat for marine life and serves as a popular recreational dive site," DAR Administrator Brian Neilson told Hawaii News Now. "With all of the stressors facing corals, boaters must be vigilant about avoiding coral damage."
