Requiem for coral reef in Gulf of Mexico

Delicate coral reef which is not far from a coast of Yucatan peninsula needs more than 100 years to restore its former look which was destroyed by the powerful hurricane "Wilma" last month.

Experts from National Commission of Natural Resources Protection, known as Conanp, say three-day heavy gale - which attacked eastern districts at the turn of October - badly marred 40-kilometer barrier-reef not far from the island of Cozumel.

"That region has greatly suffered from gales and reef needs at least 100 years to restore its former estate." - said a regional director of Conanp Alfredo Areliano.

"All coral colonies were torn off and flung into abyss", - he said.

Tender coral gardens of Cozumel were the part of reef archipelago which stretches to hundreds of kilometers in the south to Honduras` shore being the most long reef system in Western hemisphere.

Areliano ordered a group of 10 divers had begun reconstruction of defective parts of the reef using pneumatic drills for well-sinking on rocks of ocean floor to attach coral fragments to there with help of cement on basis of epoxide resin.

Restoration works are very laborious action and Conanp hopes there are some volunteers among sportsmen-divers.

sections: Society, World News