CALIPSO Coral Gardens in Colombia Tayrona National Park

CALIPSO Colombia Tayrona National Park operating in Coral Gardening Programs

Colombia CALIPSO Diving Center assures that growing corals in massive quantity could be used in intents to reef restoration programs. Operating in the internationally touristic reviewed location of the National Park Tayrona the organization takes hands-on programs of action and investigations.

Travel Magazine of Spain HOLA Viajes reported on July 1^st that Colombia is the only South American country which bathes both in the Pacific as well as the Caribbean and extends to the Amazon. “Of all destinations one of the most unique is the National Park Tayrona,” the magazine assures.

CALIPSO Dive Center in the midst of the eco-tourism activities of the National Park has been developing a marine conservation program for the past years.

CALIPSO´s Mid-Water Marine Nursery in Tayrona Park conducts pro research in order to find best condition to grow coral for reef restoration. The Nursery has the support of the Universities of Tadea and Invemar.

“In many reef areas, mostly in the Caribbean, the reef had reached a critical point of reduced resilience. In the absence of other known tools to stop this degradation, there is a great intent around the world of creating methods for reef restoration,” CALIPSO says.

The mid water nursery, tested and developed by professor B. Rinkevitch, is an intent for massive coral growing in best possible conditions, under human supervision until it will be ready to be plant back in the reef. Based on the knowledge of silviculture it has been developed during the last two decades.

The team leads volunteers with their staff which includes Expedition Manager, Science Director, Diving Manager and Field Scientists. The job of coral gardening underwater in location is developed in “paradisiacal surroundings, surrounded by green mountains” that dive into the sea.

“Every day there is a task to realize after the conservation of the park, as the care and taking of data of the coral day-care center, and eradication of the fish lion,” CALIPSO tells its volunteers.

The main target of CALIPSO is to “grow corals in a massive quantity, with the least possible damage to other ecosystems, so it could be used in intents of reef restoration of damaged areas and keep on investigating the best condition we could give the corals in order to accelerate the growth rate.

National Parks of Colombia explains that the marine environment of Tayrona within the sea or on the coastline are coral reefs, extensions of marine grasses, beaches, a rocky coast, mangroves, algae fields, sandy sea bottoms, lakes, and riverbeds.

The Marine Fauna ranges from coral formations to innumerable species of invertebrates, including the Christmas tree or feather duster worm, the long-spined sea urchin, anemones, snails, prawns, crabs, lobsters, and starfish. Fish include snappers, groupers, the parrotfish, angel fish, and moray eels.

The area is also home to unique culture and archeological spots. Local residents support themselves by tourism activities, fishing, agriculture, and cattle-raising. These descend from an ancient culture of the old city of called "Chairama".

The goals of the park include to conserve the mosaic of the marine and coastal ecosystems and their associated species within the protected area.

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