Operation Coral Rescue: Corals Embark on Whirlwind Journey from Florida’s Atlantic Coast to New Home on Texas’ Gulf Coast
A group of scientists and researchers in Texas and Florida combined on a unique collaborative rescue mission on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Nearly 300 corals, including many endangered species, made a journey from the lush coral nurseries of Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Florida to the Texas Gulf Coast.
It was a crucial conservation mission as the corals were flown across the Gulf of Mexico with precision and care before arriving at their new, temporary, home at the Texas State Aquarium’s Center for Wildlife Rescue in Corpus Christi. Ultimately, these corals will find a permanent home at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where they will be part of the cutting-edge research at HRI’s Coral Reef and Ocean Health lab, led by chair Dr. Keisha Bahr.
The lab focuses on how corals and coral reefs react and adapt to environmental changes. As climate change, ocean warming, and acidification threaten coral survival, this project not only preserves the biodiversity of these species but also strengthens the future of coral research and restoration in the Gulf of Mexico.
“As coral species face unprecedented threats, an all-hands-on-deck approach is crucial for their survival,” Bahr said. “Aquariums possess the necessary infrastructure to house and maintain corals, which plays a critical role in our conservation efforts. Together, we can create synergies that strengthen our ability to develop solutions for the challenges corals face while training the next generation of marine scientists.”
The corals were packed by scientists and researchers from HRI and NSU and flown directly into Corpus Christi International Airport to ensure the shortest possible travel time for the fragile corals. The method included packing corals in various containers with clean seawater, topping off each bag with 100% oxygen, and adding a secure seal. The sealed bags were then placed in insulated containers for transport to maintain optimal temperatures for the coral.
Once they arrived in Corpus Christi, they were transported to the sea turtle hospital at the Texas State Aquarium’s Center for Wildlife Rescue by way of its Wildlife Response Vehicles, which are similar to an ambulance. The corals will be held in two large sea turtle rehabilitation pools that will be available for public viewing during the Aquarium’s Center for Wildlife Rescue normal operating hours from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
“We are thrilled to support this significant initiative by housing the corals at the Aquarium’s Center for Wildlife Rescue,” said Texas State Aquarium CEO and President Jesse Gilbert. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to wildlife resiliency and our partners at the Harte Research Institute and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The corals will be housed in the Center’s sea turtle hospital, and we are delighted to utilize this space not only for saving endangered sea turtles and now endangered corals, but also to advance research and conservation efforts.”
Approximately 100 different genotypes of the critically endangered Staghorn coral were received in the shipment. Thanks to their new home in Texas, the growth of these genetically unique coral will help to preserve and strengthen the population’s genetic diversity. The endangered corals are found in the Caribbean and western Atlantic, and are named for its branching, antler-like structure, which provides habitat for marine life.
“This coral transfer is an opportunity for NSU to share Florida corals with TAMU-CC for research as well as creating a cache of genetically unique staghorn coral fragments representing multiple regions across southeast Florida,” said NSU Research Associate Shane Weaver. “This transfer acts as another layer of defense to safeguard Florida’s staghorn coral populations from climate change.”
Also included in the shipment are various colonies of the endangered mountainous star coral, which will be used for experiments to study the effects of dredging and dredging-related sediment on mounding corals. The coral is named as such due to its formation of large, dome-shaped colonies that can grow several meters in diameter, resembling mountains. This specific research project is funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The coral will also have an educational component, as these corals of opportunity — those removed from artificial structures, such as tires, or broken from their substrate or foundation — will be used for educational purposes at HRI and to develop a coral health color card for Caribbean corals, supporting coral monitoring efforts in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.
Corals are vital to marine ecosystems and human populations due to their diverse and far-reaching benefits, which include providing habitats for nearly a quarter of marine species and supporting fisheries. They also can protect coastal communities by acting as natural barriers against storms and erosion, and they can play a role in carbon sequestration, aiding in the regulation of carbon dioxide levels. And they also can contribute to local economies with tourism and recreation.