There is hope for coral reefs.  Many people are searching for corals that grow well in conditions where corals bleaching could occur.  Over the past decade, scientists have developed new ways to cultivate corals, and hundreds of organizations have formed to use those techniques to grow millions of baby corals which they place onto damaged reefs to support recovery.  People are finding ways to reduce the amount of fertilizer that gets washed from land onto reef areas.  Around the world there are groups working to prevent single-use plastics and to generally reduce the amount of plastic being used.  And people are developing non-toxic products – like sunscreens – to replace products that are harmful to corals and other species.  All these groups need more support from people who care.

• Researchers are looking for heat-resistant corals that grow well even in conditions that cause bleaching for most corals. 

  • Scientists are investigating corals from the Persian Gulf where there are reefs living in hotter temperatures than other parts of the world.  They are studying the symbiotic algae living with coral species from those reefs and finding one strain is more common than others.  They may find clues that could help identify ways to foster heat-tolerance in corals elsewhere in the world.

  • Others use models to predict that Indian Ocean corals may be the best to examine for strains equipped for stresses that are coming.

  • A group is working to find hope for corals.  They are searching for coral reefs that are surviving despite multiple stressors.  Together, they have found some promising reefs to study.

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• At the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology the Gates Lab is studying corals at microscopic levels.  They are trying to learn how to re-populate bleached corals with new symbiotic algae that have a higher resistance to warmer temperatures.  Their work could lead to new treatments for bleached reefs. (Also see: https://www.scmp.com/business/article/2149588/saving-worlds-coral-avert-wipeout-irreversible-costs)

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• Another track is to investigate how coral larva move around the world and whether people can help larva from very warm reef areas migrate to cooler reef areas. Coral larvae that can travel farther and survive might evolve more quickly and have a better chance of keeping up with ocean warming.

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• Based on earlier research, many organizations are growing millions of baby corals and training volunteers to help plant them on damaged reef areas to help the reefs recover.  A growing number of not-for-profit and some for profit companies are seeking to engage volunteers and funders to support this work.  You can help by sharing information about this work with your friends and family and by contributing funding to support it directly.

  • Mote Marine Lab is working with partners to grow and plant corals in reef areas around Florida and the Caribbean.  They are using techniques that help corals grow more rapidly than they would on their own.  These techniques are being shared and used by groups that need support to help reef areas recover after disruptive events like bleaching or a hurricane.

  • In the Seychelles, the Reef Rescuers are working to grow thousands of a variety of tiny corals species and then plant them to restore reefs damaged by bleaching events.

  • People4Ocean – based in Australia – specializes in underwater coral-gardening.  They grow and plant corals to help reefs recover after traumatic events.  P4O also develops and markets non-toxic sunscreens to provide safer alternatives to reduce harm to ocean species.  They donate money from their sales to support the Great Barrier Reef.

  • Coral Vita is a group helping to cultivating corals, using a for profit business strategy to help support ongoing conservation efforts.

  • The Coral Restoration Foundation grows and plants corals in carefully selected sites.

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• Farmers are finding ways to reduce fertilizer runoff into reef areas.  One example, from Queensland, Australia, is sugarcane farmers who are adopting innovative techniques to reduce runoff to the Great Barrier Reef.  The Australian government provides guidelines for all farmers to help reduce harmful impacts on reefs.  Local homeowners with yards are reducing or eliminating their use of fertilizers and pesticides. Their actions have benefits for pollinators such as bees in addition to the river and ocean habitats.   The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency have published a brochure for their community.

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• Manufacturers and  research teams are dedicated to finding alternatives to chemicals in existing products that can leach onto reef areas from household cleaners, bug repellants, outdoor furniture stains, and more.  The Toxics Use Reduction Institute is one such group.

• Local indigenous people are helping to protect coral reefs using ancient wisdom, and traditions.  Traditional knowledge and practices can help protect coral reef ecosystems. "Traditional community-run marine reserves and fisheries can play a big role in helping to restore and maintain fish numbers in stressed developing nations' coral reef fisheries."  Marine reserves, protected from fishing, mining or other industrial activities, can be helpful to support reef resilience.  Marine reserves can also aid sustainable fishing practices in  adjacent to protected areas.

Interview