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from filming coral spawning in Koh Tao this past April.
“I spent two long nights this month searching for eggs, but not the Easter eggs most people associate April with.
A few nights after the full moon, corals across the reef spawn in one of the most extraordinary biological events on Earth.
What looks like underwater snowfall is actually millions of egg-sperm bundles rising to the surface, beginning the next generation of reefs. Different species take turns during the night to spawn and the whole reef comes alive with floating stars surrounding you.
For a coral scientist, this felt like the most magical snowy night - and I reckon it may be better than Christmas”
Absolutely stunning footage, thanks for taking us along !
05/01/2026
It’s Fieldwork Friday! Today let’s SOAR into the prickly world of urchins.
Although not obvious reef guardians, sea urchins are integral members of coral reef communities. Urchins are reef grazers, which means they eat the algae that competes for space with and smothers coral.
The iconic long spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) suffered a massive die-off in the 1980s throughout the Caribbean. Losing a key reef grazer was a major blow to the regions coral reefs. But scientists and environmental groups are working to restore diadema populations in an effort to improve coral reef health.
Like ! Sustainable Ocean and Reefs Inc. (SOAR) is a marine conservation nonprofit based in the Florida Keys. They have developed and operate the largest in water reef grazer nursery in the Tropical Western Atlantic! Soar specializes in the restoration of keystone reef grazers, specifically the Long Spines Sea Urchin, that are essential for coral reef health and recovery.
They have two underwater nurseries in the Florida Keys that house settlement collectors (these collectors provide a suitable substrate for Diadema to settle and crevices where they are a bit more protected from predators) and cages (ESGs - Echinoid Grow Out Systems) where urchins can grow free from big predators until they are ready to be deployed onto the reef.
Give them a follow to learn more about their critical work restoring reef grazers and how you can help!
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