Michael Nemeth

2015

2016

2017

2018

Active population enhancement of corals in the US Caribbean has focused on Acropora spp. propagation techniques for aiding their recovery and restoring coral reefs. The recent listing of an additional 5 species as threatened under the ESA due to sharp declines in their abundance has highlighted the need to develop propagation techniques for these corals to support recovery efforts. Additionally other non-listed species have the potential to aid reef restoration efforts. These species have been successfully cultivated in land-based aquaria for some time but in order to scale-up production, ocean-based techniques should be developed and tested. This project is the continuation of an effort to determine the most appropriate and efficient methods to propagate these species, for the purpose of conservation and management. One major threat related to the decline of these coral populations has been high mortality due to coral bleaching and subsequent disease outbreaks. By advancing coral propagation methods for species recovery this project will assist jurisdictional priority goals to deal with climate change impacts to coral reefs. Genotypes of corals can be identified that are resilient to bleaching and propagation of these strains can help restore reef populations.The work is year two of a study regarding coral propagation methodologies including initial size of coral fragments for nurseries, the importance of different genotypes and the nursery structures or attachment methods for growing corals. As part of this effort we propose to collect at least 5 additional Caribbean species (Including ESA corals) that are good candidates for active propagation based on life history, growth rates, and morphology. Corals of each species will be collected in geographically disperse locations (Florida Keys, USVI and Puerto Rico). Each colony will be fragmented into multiple individuals to provide brood stock for the nurseries.Data on growth rates, survival, health, will be collected. At an appropriate time during the study (will vary by species due to growth rates) a portion of the corals of each genotype will be subject a typical brood-stock fragmentation (to simulate a necessary activity within any nursery program) and a portion will be outplanted to the natural reefs following the same best management protocols established for Acropora spp. restoration.Rather than utilize the time intensive and costly trial and error approach that ultimately resulted in finding the best techniques for Acropora, this project will use a well organized and planned study to quickly assess which species and which techniques hold the most promise for “production scale” active species propagation. While replicating the project in Florida, USVI and Puerto Rico adds costs it has the potential to significantly increase the validity of the results and allow for a much quicker adaption of the successful techniques while limiting the “experimentation” with less successful or failing techniques. Results of the project would be communicated in near real-time to the broader network of partners working on coral active propagation (to allow for adaptive management at other sites) and then ultimately summed up and presented in a peer reviewed journal.

The project will provide useful information for managers by developing a restoration approach to address jurisdictional priority goals that that seek to ameliorate climate change threats to coral reefs. This effort will conduct on the ground work to develop new methods for growing additional coral species in ocean-based nurseries so that Active Population Enhancement can be expanded to other non-Acropora species, including ESA listed Caribbean corals. This project will have results on multiple levels. It will result in the creation of on-the ground nurseries with species that are not currently being used in nurseries. During the course of this project, corals will also be outplanted to impacted reefs to assist in the recovery of these reefs. It will also provide data to help drive management decisions for NOAA and local jurisdictions on how to help in the recovery of these species and coral reefs in general. While there has been a lot of success in the Caribbean in propagating Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis in nurseries, there is little work being done or information available on other species. Both federal and state agencies have repeatedly requested that operations be expanded to include additional coral species. The results from this focused research will benefit the wide coral reef restoration community by providing guidance on appropriate propagation methods for species not previously utilized. The focus of determining the optimal propagation methods for newly listed ESA corals will address the need to advance approaches to restore these populations. The lessons learned will be incorporated in the ESA recovery plans for these species.

• Puerto Rico
• Florida
• U.S. Virgin Islands

• Cabo Rojo
• Culebra
• Guanica and Marine Extension
• North East Reserves

Restoration

Closed

Completed

https://www.coris.noaa.gov/search/rest/find/document?searchText=projectNumber%3A30029%20OR%20projectTitle%3A"ESA%20Candidate%20Species%20Active%20Population%20Enhancement%3A%20Targeted%20Research%20to%20Develop%20Optimal%20Methods."&start=1&max=10&f=searchPage