“Research is a strong word,” Chris jokes. “I came for the surf and stayed for the reefs. I never thought I’d fall so head over heels for the islands.”
Joanna walks us over to some of the plastic bins, where chunks of colorful coral are resting in salt water.
“Our mission at FMCC is to help revive reefs that are under stress due to human impact,” she says. “Coral reefs are the backbone of the marine ecosystem, and in the last decade, up to 50% of shallow water reefs have disappeared.”
“Is that why we’re all wearing reef-safe sunscreen?” Steven asks.
“It’s true that chemical sunscreen can damage the ecosystem,” Joanna says. “So can fertilizer and pesticide runoff from farms, overfishing, and warming waters due to climate change.
“We work with the local residents to plant the coral—it’s our mission to get the community as involved as possible in ourconservation efforts. This way, our impact is full circle: the coral improves the health of the reef and marine life, which not only keeps the fishing boats that feed these villages full, but encourages safe and sustainable tourism that circles back to fund the programs. We love having visitors because it allows us to share our mission to restore a healthy ecosystem with people from around the world.”
“So… how does it work?” Harry asks.
Joanna chooses a purple coral head from the plastic tank that fits in the palm of her hand and we watch as she uses a large pair of clippers to chop off a piece.
“We remove some of the coral from our beds to repropagate, much like you might with a plant or succulent, and attach the fingerlings to disks like these,” she says, holding up a concrete cone, “So they can be replanted on our artificial beds. We have up to a hundred full beds in our nursery at any time.”
She points to a flat of mesh about five feet wide that rests against the wall.
“You’re creating an artificial reef?” asks Jules.
“There’s nothing artificial about this coral! But no—when the fingers grow large enough, we return them to damaged areas of the existing reef for replanting.”
She sets down the coral in her hand and reaches for a dead piece of coral about the size of a microwave.
“In just a year, those tiny pieces can grow larger than this!”
She passes around the small piece so we all have a chance to see before placing it back in the plastic tub.
“Is it all the same type of coral?” asks Matthew. I have to do a double take to make sure it’s him. Is Matthew actuallyengagingwith something other than his cellphone?
“We have over sixteen different varietals of coral in the nursery—enough to make up a rugby team!”
I look across the room and catch sight of Caleb, who’s standing behind Arthur with his go-pro at the ready. Eventhough he should be looking at the coral, I can see that his eyes are stuck on me. Do I have something on my nose? Some sunscreen I forgot to rub in?
“OK,” Joanna says proudly, “Enough time in the classroom. Let’s get out and see this coral at work!”
The group files out of the lab back towards the beach, but Jules lags behind. Now’s my chance. I grab her by the arm and pull her back through the door before anyone can see.
“Jules—” I start, but she shakes her head.
“No. Me first.”
I drop my hand, preparing myself for a verbal beating.
“You were right last night, Stell. I should have said something about the whale—aboutallof it. I’ve been trying so hard to make this work that I’m not being myself.”
I sigh out a breath of relief. I’m glad I’m not the only one trying to apologize.
“But mostly, I need you to know that I didn’t mean what I said about regretting bringing you here.”
She chokes up a little, and I wrap her in the tightest hug I can manage. She lets out an audible breath.
“I know,” I assure her. “And I know how important Harry is to you, and how hard you’re trying. The last thing I want to do is make things more difficult.”
“Harry is my family Stella,” she tucks her head under mine. “But so are you. And I need youboth.”
I smile. I don’t remember the last time we just stood together like this, and it feels good. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed her.
