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Ocean Week Brunei hosted its third event, the Reef Ball Discovery, which was attended by 26 youth, including a 10-year-old, who learnt how to plant coral at sea yesterday. The volunteers deployed 10 reef balls fabricated by students from various schools participating in the Brunei Reef Ball programme, promoting cooperation across schools. Driven by their interest in the ocean and their desire to understand the impact of reef balls on marine ecosystems and their potential role in conservation efforts, the young participants enthusiastically learnt how to plant corals and made 60 coral plugs onboard. Poni Divers dive staff assisted in planting the corals onto the reef balls, providing a valuable learning opportunity for the youth as they acquired the correct techniques for coral planting while gaining insight into various coral types. There was an overwhelming response to the event, with over 40 participants keen to take part and learn more about the corals. Due to high demand, additional sessions will be scheduled for those who could not participate. As the threat of coral bleaching continues to escalate in Brunei and across the world in the fourth global coral bleaching incident, it is imperative that we deepen our understanding of corals and actively participate in their restoration. Coral reefs, often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea” are vital to marine biodiversity, providing habitat for countless species and protecting coastal communities from erosion and storm surges. In recent years, rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification have led to widespread coral bleaching, where corals lose their vibrant colours and essential symbiotic algae, becoming vulnerable to disease and death. This phenomenon has been observed with increasing frequency in the waters of Brunei, posing a significant threat to our marine ecosystems and the livelihoods dependent on them. Learning about corals and engaging in coral planting initiatives are crucial steps in mitigating these impacts. By educating the community about the importance of coral reefs, we can foster greater environmental stewardship and drive collective action. Coral planting not only helps restore damaged reefs but also serves as a hands-on conservation effort that empowers individuals to contribute directly to marine conservation. The upcoming ‘Big Blue Hope’ event, marking the largest coral planting day in Brunei’s history, is a testament to Poni Divers’ commitment to rehabilitating damaged reefs and building a resilient future for our oceans. Poni Divers will be researching advanced scientific methods to monitor coral health, genetic diversity, and adaptive responses. Through collaborative efforts with international marine biologists and coral experts, they are exploring pioneering approaches to selective breeding of resilient coral strains and heat-resilient algae. These initiatives aim to rebuild robust reef systems that can withstand and adapt to changing climate conditions, ensuring that our coral reefs continue to thrive for generations to come. – Adib Noor ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/FYEy6lbrX-bgbyKwUfqE2-ReGXwfqVc8X1kvgTvzwOa.jpeg) ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/UKkWcnwXd55ZmZ-sagzcA-mGIQcNO7DAGgrRY4VUWVX.jpeg) ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show students during the Reef Ball Discovery programme to mark Ocean Week Brunei. PHOTO: PONI DIVERS ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/LQ5Pu0pN90yNjhRdUFi5_-8927wHzQqhxwZjXhujXG5.jpeg) PHOTO: PONI DIVERS ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/aF7HKFGLDm61Cl4KdnP_t-UUXay-3ndtJOeNva9Tkmp.jpeg) PHOTO: PONI DIVERS ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/3mjro7EzWiaM6_oY11sOZ-m6hYjMx7O-Sz6HsOd4SY8.jpeg) PHOTO: PONI DIVERS ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/0S92dTp-n8HQ8rXE-epwY-gDBTJIQA1hIgTmMKvHfMs.jpeg) Participating youth in a group photo. PHOTO: PONI DIVERS

Segala Brunei→banar banar semua ada bah!⤴︎

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Urang macam awda pun kan meliat ani bah! ⤵︎

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