The Great Barrier Reef recently experienced its annual coral spawning event. This groundbreaking step made new, incredible opportunities for restoration efforts possible, pinching the pulses of marine scientists and conservationists alike. This year’s spawning is especially significant after a multi-year outbreak of the stony coral tissue loss disease, along with other detrimental events, challenged the reef’s overall health. Researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Southern Cross University are harnessing this natural phenomenon to enhance coral populations through innovative techniques.
Corals put on an amazing show during their spawning. …they release trillions of eggs and sperm into the water… It’s one of the most exciting moments for marine scientists. This year, Dr. Christopher Doropoulos and his team reported promising results from their first trial of larval seed boxes at Lizard Island. Each of these boxes can accommodate up to 2 million larvae per box. Over time, they safely introduce coral larvae to damaged environments, allowing them to foster the natural settlement and development.
Innovative Techniques for Coral Restoration
Our research teams have been hard at work collecting this spawn during night slicks, where billions of larvae can be harvested. They raise the larvae in floating culture pools for three to five days. From there, they move them into larval seed boxes. Dr. Doropoulos elaborated on why this approach is so important.
“We got some really positive results showing larval dispersal and settlement onto the reef at scales that haven’t been demonstrated before,” – Christopher Doropoulos
These larval seed boxes are intended to loosely encapsulate these natural processes. This environment provides an ideal habitat for the larvae to survive and develop before being slowly released into the ocean. Dr. Doropoulos highlighted how much flexibility this approach provides.
“They can do it in their own time when they’re ready to leave the box and then find somewhere on the reef to metamorphose,” – Dr. Christopher Doropoulos
As a result, this ingenious method dramatically increases the likelihood that transplanted corals will survive. This is especially important because science shows that as few as one in a million of these coral larvae survive to become adult corals.
Positive Outcomes from Recent Trials
The enthusiasm among researchers is contagious as they themselves are seeing such promising developments from their respective trials. This is how, in laboratory experiments, they ended up doubling the survival rate of coral larvae, according to Dr. Jennifer Matthews.
“In the lab we found that we could double their life, double their survival rate,” – Dr. Jennifer Matthews
This year’s successful collection of millions of larvae during a significant spawning event has raised hopes for the future of coral restoration. The phase began two years ago with the feeding of baby corals. It suffered a huge blow when Cyclone Jasper pummeled the island and cut off observations from previous trials.
The restoration project not only aims to revive coral populations but intends to empower local communities with sustainable practices. Dr. Doropoulos was clear on the key takeaway – developing a practical solution for restoration. This approach will equip people who live closest to the reef to drive meaningful action.
“This is the first time that hopefully … it’s gonna be seen all the way through to the six-month survival rate,” – Dr. Jennifer Matthews
A Community-Focused Vision
Great Barrier Reef Foundation managing director Anna Marsden called this season the Super Bowl for marine scientists.
“The ultimate goal is to produce something that can be used by local communities,” – Dr. Christopher Doropoulos
The intersection of scientific innovation and public participation offers hope for a more resilient Great Barrier Reef.
“You would absolutely say that this time of year is every marine scientist’s Christmas,” – Ms Marsden
The combination of scientific innovation and community involvement holds promise for a more resilient Great Barrier Reef.
