Stabilisation by mesh
Functional objective:
Stabilisation to facilitate reef recovery
Delivery method:
Mesh fixing
Deployment scale:
Micro (a few metres) to small (a few hectares, a single reef)
Subprogram:
When reefs are damaged (for example by storms, ship groundings or coral bleaching) the dead or degraded coral can become loose and unconsolidated rubble, making it difficult for coral to regrow.
This potential intervention would help increase the rate of reef recovery by fixing mesh over the rubble to prevent further movement and aid reef recovery.
The mesh would be produced on land and fixed to the reef using a large barge or floating platform.
This technique is relatively common in the US, funded by insurance claims following ship strikes; however, there is a lack of published information and research about this technique.
