[Coral-List] coral restoration by using wild coral spawn slicks

[Douglas Fenner]

a couple articles:

Doropoulos, C., Elzinga, J., ter Hofstede, R., van Koningsveld, M. and
Babcock, R.C. (2019), Optimizing industrial-scale coral reef restoration:
comparing harvesting wild coral spawn slicks and transplanting gravid adult
colonies. Restor Ecol, 27: 758-767.

 https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12918

Abstract

Accelerating coral reef restoration is a global challenge that has been
attempted around the world. Previous attempts show varying levels of
success at localized scales, but comparisons of cost and benefits to
evaluate large-scale reef restoration approaches are lacking. Here, we
compare two large-scale restoration approaches: the harvesting,
development, and release of wild coral spawn slicks onto a target reef,
with the transplantation of gravid coral colonies to provide a seed
population and local source of larvae. Comparisons incorporate the best
available information on demographic rates to estimate population growth,
beginning at embryo production to colony maturity 4 years following
deployment. Cost-effectiveness is considered in a coarse manner. The
harvesting, development, and controlled release of coral spawn slicks is
anticipated to achieve large-scale restoration of coral communities with
low-impact technology at low cost per colony. Harvesting wild spawn slicks
has the potential to (1) transport billions of larvae up to thousands of
kilometers that (2) are relevant to coral restoration efforts at vast
geographical scales while (3) benefitting from the use of technology with
extremely low impact on wild populations and (4) retaining natural genetic
and species diversity needed to enhance the resilience of restored
communities. Transplanting colonies is most useful from reefs designated to
be impacted by infrastructural development by providing an opportunity for
transfer to high value zones, from dedicated nurseries, and for brooding
species. Our contribution provides insights into critical elements of both
concepts, and we highlight information gaps in parameter uncertainties.

Doropoulos, C., Focco, V., Jesper, E., ter Remment, H., Kinam, S., van
Koningsveld, M., Babcock, R. C.

           2019. Testing Industrial-Scale Coral Restoration Techniques:
Harvesting and Culturing Wild
           Coral-Spawn Slicks. *Frontiers in Marine Science* 6.

Accelerating the recovery of marine coastal ecosystems is a global
challenge that has been attempted on many systems around the world.
Restoration efforts have shown varying levels of success at
localized-scales, but developing techniques for large-scale application are
still in their nascent stage for many systems. For seagrass meadows and
marsh plants, large-scale successes have been realized by distributing
seeds from moving boats or planes, respectively. Similarly for coral reefs,
the harvesting, culturing and releasing of wild coral-spawn slicks to
targeted reefs is anticipated to achieve cost-efficient, large-scale
restoration of coral communities with low-impact technology. Yet,
operational protocols for full-scale application still require development
by practitioners. In this study we conducted a field trial to evaluate the
actual feasibility of harvesting wild coral-spawn slicks for large-scale
restoration activities, incorporating technologies used in oil spill
remediation, dredging operations, and land-based aquaculture. Testing the
potential for scalability to commercial vessels, our trial focused on
concentrating and collecting wild coral-spawn slicks for culturing until
settlement competency using an experimental 50,000 L aquaculture facility
built on a tugboat. Five objectives were set and all were achieved
successfully, with only one requiring further optimization. Overall, this
restoration approach allows for long-distance translocation of genetically
diverse coral assemblages, and may be combined with other larval
conditioning techniques that are being developed to increase the resistance
to stress and survival of coral recruits. Most importantly, it is fully
scalable to produce billions of coral larvae for delivery to target reefs,
with negligible impact to source populations.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2019.00658/full

Cheers, Doug

-- 
Douglas Fenner
Lynker Technologies, LLC, Contractor
NOAA Fisheries Service
Pacific Islands Regional Office
Honolulu
and:
Coral Reef Consulting
PO Box 997390
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799-6298  USA

Degrowth can work - here's how science can help
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-04412-x

CoP 27, CoP 17, the party's over https://www.petersalebooks.com/?p=3324

Fixing methane leaks is a fast and vast help for climate change, and pays
for itself.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/why-fixing-methane-leaks-oil-132702814.html