MARIN Tobago launches coral restoration project to boost reef resilience and genetic diversity amid challenges of rising sea temperatures.
MARIN Tobago and experts from SECORE International kicked off their first coral restoration event in Charlotteville in Tobago. The initiative aimed to boost juvenile coral populations through coral seeding, using sexual reproduction and larval rearing techniques to enhance genetic diversity and reef resilience. Key highlights included successful collection of eggs and sperm from boulder brain and mountainous star corals, high fertilization rates, and the outplanting of 1,000 seedling units with coral settlers in northeast Tobago. However, challenges arose, such as the lack of settlement for mountainous star corals and suboptimal rearing conditions due to a marine heat wave and high rainfall with associated high levels of runoff from surrounding coastal areas. Looking ahead, the outplanted units will be monitored annually to track growth and survival. New research shows that juvenile corals from assisted fertilization have a higher tolerance to heat stress and reduced bleaching risk. Stakeholders are reminded to not to disturb any seeding units encountered on the reefs in northeast Tobago.
