Muscat – The Environment Authority (EA) has launched a coral reef cultivation project in the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve to restore damaged reefs and strengthen marine biodiversity in Oman’s protected waters.

The initiative will see plantation of 600 to 1,000 coral fragments using direct implantation techniques to help rehabilitate rare reef formations in the reserve. The project is expected to improve habitats for marine life, including commercially valuable species such as grouper.

According to the authority, the programme responds to mounting environmental pressures on coral reefs, particularly climate change and rising sea temperatures. It follows a scientific approach that studies key environmental factors such as water temperature, oxygen levels and acidity (pH) to improve coral survival and growth.

The project includes regular biological and environmental surveys, along with continuous monitoring of the growth and survival rates of the transplanted corals. A final scientific report will document the results and provide a model for similar reef restoration projects in the future.

The project is being implemen- ted in partnership with Sultan Qaboos University as the academic partner, with support from Oman LNG. The collaboration highlights joint efforts by government bodies, the private sector and academic institutions to protect Oman’s marine ecosystems.

Officials expect the project to increase coral cover in the reserve, support fish stocks and raise environmental awareness, while reinforcing Oman’s position as a destination for marine ecotourism.