Coral Spawning and Larval Culturing Programs for Reef Restoration
Coral Spawning and larvae culturing is a relatively new form of obtaining feedstock’s for reef restoration. Rather than using ‘donor’ colonies, which are usually sourced from the natural reefs, this technique uses coral eggs and sperm to create new coral colonies which are all genetic individuals. For years this technique has only been available to researchers and professionals with a high amount of knowledge, expertise, and funding. With our improved techniques however anybody can involve in these techniques, improving the genetic diversity of restored areas and increasing the resilience of corals reefs.
Learn how to track and predict coral spawning events accurately.
Learn to capture coral larvae and eggs, prioritize genetic diversity, and excel in ex-situ cultivation and larvae settlement, along with expert maintenance of rearing ponds.
Understand coral reproductive cycles and their significance in preserving diversity and rejuvenating reef growth.
Grasp various modes and evolutionary stable strategies in coral reproduction and their relevance to reef threats and restoration.
Program Eligibility and Requirements
To join the Coral Spawning and Larval Culturing Program, participants need to meet the following criteria:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be 12 years of age or older.
- Diver Certification: Applicants should hold certification as an Advanced diver from a recognized diving organization such as PADI, SSI, RAID, or similar. Alternatively, Open Water divers can be eligible if they have successfully completed a buoyancy appraisal under the guidance of a professional diver.
- Diving Proficiency: Applicants need to showcase advanced diving skills, including excellent buoyancy control and self-awareness.
- Certifications: Interested individuals must have completed the following certifications offered by our program:
Upon Enrollment in the Course, participants will be required to:
- Attend 3 lectures on coral spawning and larval capturing and culturing
- Perform 3 dives related to coral spawning activities:
- In-water histology and site preparation
- Spawning observation and timing
- Larval capture and fertilization
- Assist in the fertilization and rearing of coral larval
Published papers and reports derived through the teaching of this course
- Developing community-accessible methods of increasing coral reef resilience through selective coral breeding programs (Chad M. Scott and James D. True)
- Community Based Strategies to Enhance Coral Reef Resilience and Recovery through Selective Coral Larval Culturing to Strengthen Population Genetic Fitness (Chad Scott, Prince of Songkla University)
- Culturing of coral spawn Analysis of the implementation of a scientific project into the community of Koh Tao, Thailand (Christoph Hoppe, Van Hall Larenstein)
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