Welsh student 3D prints coral structure to help save endangered coral reefs

Coral reef conservation has been a big topic among ocean conservationists, as the endangered reefs could mean an end one of the most diverse ecosystems found on earth. It is for this reason that Jessica Gregory, a product design graduate from Newport, Wales has embarked on a new project – using 3D printing to create replicas of coral skeletons.

Jessica’s coral are 3D printed and mimic actual coral under the water

Due to climate change and pollution, many coral reefs around the world have gone from vibrant, beautiful ecosystems to dull and dead in a short amount of time due to a phenomenon called “coral bleaching”. One of the more famous reefs to have this damage is the Great Barrier Reef, who has already lost almost half of its body due to this bleaching, causing fish who depend on it for food and shelter to lose their resource.

Because of this tragic event, Jessica realized that she needed to do something to help stop this from occurring. To do this, she began her own project that sought the use of her 3D printer, her creativity and her love for nature to bring the coral and these ecosystems back to life.