HAIKOU /China/, August 6. /TASS/. The administration of the resort city of Sanya (southern Chinese province of Hainan) has planted over 68,000 coral polyps in the area of a popular local tourist zone over the past approximately 10 years, the Hainan Daily newspaper reported.

The measures to restore the underwater ecosystem have reportedly affected the small island of Wuzhizhou, where one of China's leading diving centers is located. According to experts, coral reefs in this area are developing successfully.

The excellent ecology and magnificent marine landscapes of Wuzhizhou attract numerous tourists. The work of planting coral polyps and caring for them is reportedly carried out year-round. In particular, special attention is paid to the removal of parasitic biological forms that harm underwater thickets.

As Wang Fengguo, manager of the marine resources department of the Wuzhizhou tourist zone, reported, thanks to the efforts made, the underwater ecosystem adjacent to the island has significantly changed in recent years. Since 2010, when a corresponding program was launched in Sanya, authorities have created artificial reefs with a volume of over 80,000 cubic meters.

As a result, the degree of coral coverage there has increased from 15% to 37%. According to official estimates, 265 species of fish inhabit these underwater thickets. The concentration of fish resources, it is claimed, has doubled, and in some places more than fivefold. "The essence of real ecological restoration is not just to plant, but to grow [coral polyps]," Wang Fengguo emphasized.

According to him, the development of coral polyps is greatly influenced by fluctuations in water temperature, waves caused by typhoons, as well as biological pests. Any of these negative factors can lead to the death of seedlings. Snails and starfish pose a particularly high danger in the summer season.

The publication's authors note that the coral reef restoration project near Wuzhizhou Island is one of the items in Hainan's extensive marine environmental protection program. In addition to Sanya, similar efforts are being made by other administrative-territorial units of the province – the neighboring Lingshui Li Autonomous County, and the cities of Wenchang and Qionghai on the eastern coast of the island. As a result, the area of "underwater forests" is constantly increasing. This work is carried out with the support of the state, specialized research and commercial organizations.