Sarah Sell, University Communication and Marketing
Florida’s coral reefs suffered severe damage during the mass bleaching event in 2023, but recovery efforts are underway to restore this critical ecosystem.
On May 7th, nearly 1,050 baby corals were produced and raised at the Florida Aquarium, delivered to Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) in Florida Keys. The lab is run by USF’s Florida Marine Research Institute (FIO).
Biologists and volunteers from the Coral Conservation and Research Center at the Florida Aquarium in Apollo Beach packed young elkhorn corals into a cooler and drove for six hours. Upon reaching the long key KML site, they were transferred to temporary tanks to adapt to the seawater before being planted on coral reefs or raised in marine-based nursery.
These Elkhorn Corals play an important role in marine ecosystems by providing shelter to marine life, protecting coastlines from hurricanes, and supporting the state’s recreation, tourism and fishing.
“Elkhorn Coral is one of the most critically at risk on Florida’s coral reefs,” says Cincialis, director of KML. “It was one of the coral species that carried the worst during the 2023 bleaching event. We had a desperate effort to ensure as many adult corals as possible could be protected in the land nursery.”
KML has one of the largest temperature controlled seawater systems in the Florida Key. With 60 tanks ranging from 40 gallons to 1,000 gallons, the unique salt water system allows for research into corals and other marine organisms, providing shelter for living, rehabilitation and growth.
In 2023, during a record-breaking bleaching event, KML was able to house more than 5,000 rescue corals for three months before temperatures returned to normal and then returned to the reef.
Bleaching events occur when the water temperature gets too warm. Corals become stressful and cause algae to live in tissues and turn white. During such bleaching events, corals are more likely to experience death.
<
Located in the middle of the Florida Keys, the lab offers easy access to partners such as the Florida Aquarium, Mort Marine Laboratory, Coral Restoration Foundation, Reef Renewal USA and Sustainable Ocean and Reef (SOAR).
During similar bleaching events in 2014 and 2015, the Florida Aquarium rescued parental colonies from Florida coral reefs, maintaining the genetic diversity of elkhorn corals.
Thanks to successful egg-laying at the conservation center, Baby Elkhorn Coral was born in 2022 and 2023.
“The coral boy who just transferred to KML consists of many new mother and father combinations. “Without human intervention, these parent corals cannot be reproduced due to the loss of 2023.”
Once a new elkhorn adapts to KML’s seawater, it will be distributed to partner organizations. The goal is to plant them on coral reefs within NOAA’s mission. One of the world’s most ambitious coral restoration projects, the iconic coral reef targets seven key sites in the Florida Keys National Marine Reserve.
“The work at Florida Aquarium to raise and recover genetically diverse, resilient corals is an important part of the collective battle to protect the Florida Keys National Marine Reserve.”
In the face of such an emergency crisis, recovery projects and collaborations between Florida Aquarium, KML and its partners are helping bring new life to one of the state’s most important marine ecosystems.
“Even during a crisis, we can make a difference,” O’Neill said. “By working together, we are protecting the environment, the economy, and the reefs that are essential to the thousands of species that we call home.”
