The Marine Sciences Center at the University of Basra participates in a virtual workshop *Methods for restoring coral reefs*

 The two researchers from the Marine Science Center/University of Basra, Prof. Dr. Hoda Kazem Ahmed and A. Hana Hussein Muhammad, as two representatives of the Republic of Iraq, in the workshop on methods of restoring coral reefs, which was held virtually by the ROPME organization and with the participation of researchers from the organization’s member states. The participants reviewed their practical experiences and efforts made in the field of coral development and cultivation in their countries. 

 And I spoke. Hanaa Hussein about her doctoral study project, which is the first of its kind in Iraq to study coral reefs in Iraqi marine waters and under the joint supervision of Prof. Dr. Hoda Kazem explained that our experience in dealing with coral reefs was an initiative by the management of the Marine Science Center in a joint study with the scientific diving team from the German University of Freiberg, as coral reefs were discovered in Iraqi waters in 2013 with an area of 28 square kilometers and depths ranging from 7-20. meters in an area near the deep oil port. The discovery research was published in the journal Scientific Reports

 (https://www.nature.com/articles/srep04250)

 Since the procedures were simple and there were no specialists in coral classification, we formed a scientific team that presented an integrated project to the Ministry of Environment to establish a natural reserve. We proposed another project that was presented to the local government in Basra Governorate to develop coral reefs and adopt the cultivation of the most durable type. We hope to support the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment and assist it in the procedures for monitoring and planting coral reefs in Iraq.