Did you know? Yes, there is coral in the Mediterranean which, in addition, produces oxygen with photosynthesis. No further than in Anse Méjean, where there is a small colony. And like its tropical cousins, the marine animal of our shores is also in danger. Threatened by global warming, pollution, nautical activities…
That morning on the beaches of Mourillon, Sandrine Trayvaud, red hat “of Commander Cousteau” on the head, explains what you need to know about the species Cladocora turfy. In front of this specialist: thirteen students of 4e from the Pierre-Puget college, located in Pont-du-Las, who are participating in the Oceano pour tous educational competition, organized by the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.
“To better understand Mediterranean coral, we are going to learn how to take cuttings”announces Sandrine Trayvaud. With other volunteers from the Ocean Quest association, this diving instructor devotes part of her time to replanting small broken pieces of Cladocora turfy in front of our shores. To repeat this manipulation in front of the teenagers and not put the animal at unnecessary risk, this time she uses (recycled) plastic coral.
A census planned for 2025
“When we go to sea, the idea is to dive to collect pieces from the bottom, then stick a few polyps on a stone, where they will develop”continues Sandrine Trayvaud. And remember that coral lives between six and twenty meters deep. Where, despite everything, it does not escape the ills of our planet, starting with the global rise in temperatures.
The Cladocora turfy Although it may be resilient, capable of adapting to a Mediterranean that goes from 12°C to 26°C, it is not invincible either. “In 2022, after six weeks of high temperatures, I saw a few turn white, says Sandrine Trayvaud. But they weren’t dead.”
The teenagers drink in the words of this enthusiast, before conscientiously repeating the replanting gestures. “It’s super interestings’enthusiasm Kylian. Beyond manipulation, we really realize that we must protect biodiversity”. At his side, his teacher Saïda Grach said nothing else: “It’s raising awareness among a public that will have a crucial role to play in the future. We come from a college close to the highway. Environmental issues are things that speak to us.”
The morning ends. For Sandrine Trayvaud, another mission is coming, called Corail Med. “From 2025, with the association, we will try to identify the coral colonies present on our coastline, from Pipady to Carqueiranne. Nearly 300 dives are planned. The objective is to establish a map and to give this information to the harbor managers, which will make it possible, for example, to protect the Cladocora anchorages.”
But actually, why this fascination with coral? “It’s a super animal, which lives in a mineral house (made of calcium carbonate), shared with a plant (an algae). Isn’t that wonderful?”
Related News :