Scientists in Townsville have managed to get coral in the lab to spawn out of season. By controlling lighting and temperature the lab coral spawned in winter rather than summer for the reef.
Why?
Because it allows reef restocking and repair in winter as well as in summer. That’s a huge advance.
“Researchers have achieved out-of-season coral spawning for the first time in Australia. The natural phenomenon occurs twice a year on the Great Barrier Reef, usually between October and December. But under controlled conditions in a Townsville lab, coral have reproduced in the middle of winter.
“Australian Institute of Marine Science senior aquarist Lonidas Koukoumaftsis said the breakthrough was two years in the making. Finally, this year we’ve managed to get 43 coral colonies to spawn six months before they are supposed to. Researchers used artificial moonlight and controlled temperature on the samples from when they were eggs and sperm. The environmental conditions the corals experienced in the lab were six months ahead of Great Barrier Reef.
“More opportunities to harvest coral spawn would strengthen restoration efforts on the Great Barrier Reef.”
