Madagascar’s political and environmental disaster: Might restoring coral reefs assist?

BAY OF RANOBE, Madagascar — The coral reef itself was beautiful. Rising about 3 miles offshore in 50 toes of water, it was a rugged terrain of pinks, blues, and oranges, set in opposition to a backdrop of deep blue. The coral items, every a colony of dwelling animals, took on a variety of bizarre types, from cake platters and pencil shavings to antlers and brains.

However there was one apparent factor lacking: fish. Like a metropolis with out individuals, the reef was largely empty — not solely of fish, but additionally of crabs, eels, and different typical marine life on a coral reef.