In a significant advancement for coral restoration, scientists from the University of Miami and its Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science have successfully outplanted elkhorn corals produced through crossbreeding efforts. These corals, referred to as “Flonduran,” were created by breeding elkhorn parents from Florida with those from a uniquely resilient reef in Tela Bay, Honduras. This initiative aims to enhance the genetic diversity of Florida’s elkhorn coral populations, potentially increasing their heat tolerance and overall resilience.
Andrew Baker, Professor of Marine Biology and Ecology at the Rosenstiel School and director of the Coral Reef Futures Lab, emphasized the importance of elkhorn coral, stating, “Elkhorn coral is a critically endangered species and one of the most important reef-building corals in the Caribbean.” Due to factors such as disease and warming oceans, elkhorn coral populations have declined by over 99% since the 1980s, making restoration efforts essential.
In June 2024, Baker led a research team that collaborated with Tela Marine to conduct genetic sampling and collect spawning-sized fragments of coral from the Tela Bay area. This region is notable for its thriving reefs despite adverse conditions such as high water temperatures and agricultural runoff, conditions that typically harm coral ecosystems. The research team collected hundreds of DNA samples from ten coral species, aiming to pinpoint genetic traits that contribute to heat resilience.
Following this, they transported 13 elkhorn coral fragments back to Miami to crossbreed with local populations. Seven of these colonies were later moved to The Florida Aquarium‘s Coral Conservation and Research Center in Apollo Beach, Florida, where they became part of groundbreaking spawning efforts. In July 2024, these colonies successfully spawned alongside Florida’s elkhorn corals, resulting in over 200 Flonduran coral offspring.
Keri O’Neil, Senior Scientist and Director of the Coral Conservation Program at The Florida Aquarium, remarked, “After nearly a year of careful care, the first 35 Flonduran babies and 35 Florida elkhorn coral babies have returned to the ocean off Miami to help rebuild and strengthen future reefs.” O’Neil expressed hope that these young corals will contribute to the development of more robust populations across the Caribbean.
Baker noted the collaborative nature of this project, stating, “Corals don’t know international boundaries. By working together across borders, we’re helping these critical reef-builders strengthen the entire Caribbean population.” This outplanting serves as a vital pilot to assess how these new coral babies will fare as water temperatures rise.
The successful spawning and outplanting of Flonduran corals highlight the importance of innovation and international cooperation in addressing the challenges faced by coral ecosystems. Antal Borcsok, CEO and co-founder of Tela Marine, stated, “Tela Bay’s reefs have shown us that corals can survive and even thrive in challenging, warm-water environments. By sharing this resilience and collaborating across borders, we are giving elkhorn coral a better chance not just in Honduras, but across the Caribbean.”
The ongoing efforts reflect a broader strategy for coral restoration, with experts likening it to the successful recovery of the Florida panther. Mike Tringali, Senior Research Scientist at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, explained, “Restoring Florida’s elkhorn coral will take a coordinated genetic-rescue effort, combining legacy Florida colonies with carefully selected, genetically compatible non-local colonies from the western Caribbean.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has supported this initiative, with Jennifer Koss, director of NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, expressing pride in the partnership. She noted that this effort stems from a National Academies study on coral interventions, showcasing how quickly scientific innovations are being applied in real-world scenarios.
As the remaining parent colonies at The Florida Aquarium and the Rosenstiel School continue to thrive, the potential for producing additional Flonduran babies in future spawning seasons remains promising. This initiative not only aims to restore coral reefs in Florida but also seeks to enhance the ecological functions of coral systems across the Caribbean for years to come.
