Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire was successful during a spawning event.
In a major success for coral restoration on Bonaire, Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire (RRFB) observed grooved brain coral spawning on Friday night and collected eggs and sperm from 14 colonies across four sites. From these, the team produced over 236,000 genetically unique coral larvae in a temporary land-based lab setup.
This event comes as a glimmer of hope after two years of unprecedented coral bleaching and SCTLD (Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease) pushed many coral species to the brink. With fewer healthy colonies remaining, and many now too far apart to reproduce naturally, the chances of fertilization in the wild have dropped dramatically.
“Every spawning event is a critical and unique opportunity to boost the genetic diversity of Bonaire’s declining coral populations,” says Sanne Tuijten, RRFB’s Science Officer. “And with that diversity comes greater resilience.”
Restoration is Vital
Active restoration plays a vital role in reversing coral reef decline, strengthening struggling populations by boosting genetic diversity and rebuilding abundance. In fact, research shows that young corals produced through this method show high tolerance to heat stress. * RRFB’s breeding results are highly encouraging, showing that vulnerable coral populations still have the capacity to reproduce, and that targeted breeding can greatly amplify year-round restoration efforts and significantly accelerate natural recovery.
This month’s spawning event is the program’s first of the year, with more work planned for endangered species, including pillar, elkhorn, staghorn, and other brain corals. RRFB’s coral breeding program has been developed in close collaboration with SECORE International. It’s made possible with support from Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire (OLB) and the Dutch Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Quality, and Nature (LVVN) through the Nos ta Biba di Naturalesa project.
ABOUT RRFB
Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire is a non-profit organization focused on the protection and restoration of Bonaire’s biodiverse coral reefs. In collaboration with research partners and regional practitioners, RRFB uses research-based techniques to increase the abundance and genetic diversity of vulnerable coral populations on Bonaire. Today, with the help of 16 partner dive operators around the island and a dedicated team of volunteers, RRFB has outplanted over 65,000 corals back to the reef, covering an area of over 13,000 square meters. To learn how to get involved or lend support, please visit www.reefrenewalbonaire.org or email info@reefrenewalbonaire.org.
* Miller, M. W., et al. (2024). Assisted sexual coral recruits show high thermal tolerance to the 2023 Caribbean mass bleaching event. PLOS ONE, 19(9), e0309719. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309719
