SECORE International

Coral babies vs algae | Foul release coating study 📝

In June, our Curaçao team reared coral larvae from collected grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) spawn. Prior to settlement on SECORE stars and Australian Institute of Marine Science's two-part Coral Seeding device, half of the substrates were coated in Hempasil, a biocide-free foul release coating designed to deter algae growth, while others were left uncoated. After the larvae settled, the devices were outplanted in two reefs: 👀 A degraded reef with high algal cover and one healthier reef with lower algal cover.

Our team will monitor the devices every three months for the next year to document how coating treatment affects algae competition and coral survival.

💡Algae growth is a big challenge when it comes to rearing coral babies for restoration. During their early, fragile stages, young corals can easily be crowded out by fast-growing algae.
This test helps us unlock new ways to reduce algae's impact and give corals a better chance to survive and thrive. 🪸🤩

👏A thank you to REACT Curaçao, Reef Renewal Curaçao and all the incredible volunteers for their support.
➡ This study is part of the Global Coral Tech Transfer project made possible by Builders Vision, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Vere Initiatives.

Photos by: Lars ter Horst, our Curaçao-based Research & Restoration Technician & Alexandra Gutting our Lead Project Scientist

Training & Capacity Building 📍Bonaire

SECORE and Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire have been collaborating for many years. They have helped pilot our technologies, imperative to refining our restoration toolkit. In 2019 they joined our Training and Capacity Building Program and this year they graduated! 🎓

“Since the start of our collaboration with SECORE, we have built a coral breeding program that has become a core component of our restoration strategy in Bonaire. Over the years, we have worked closely with the SECORE team to learn, implement, and refine the full coral breeding process—from spawning monitoring and gamete collection to larval rearing, settlement, and outplanting.
Together, we have adapted these techniques to local species, environmental conditions, and operational realities, allowing us to scale breeding efforts from small pilot projects to a program that now supports multiple coral species,” says Caitie Reza, Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire Communication & Development Officer.

Learn about their journey through our Training and Capacity Building Program by checking out our latest article! https://www.secore.org/en/news/27/implementing-coral-seeding-a-growing-network-of-partners

Photos were taken by our very own Tania Speck and Alex Gutting