Saving the Reefs

Aquarium Joins National Coral Rescue Project

At first glance, the boxes that arrived at the Aquarium’s delivery bay one summer afternoon might have been mistaken for any regular shipment, but what was inside was some truly irregular…and precious cargo. Aquarium staff carefully transported each box inside to a behind-the scenes areas, opening each to reveal sections of bright coral, cushioned to survive their long journey from Florida. Moving quickly but carefully, each coral was placed in a large aquatic tank.

Staff open a shipment containing rescued coral.

These several dozen corals, now residing at the Aquarium, are survivors of a deadly disease ravaging the “rainforests of the sea” off the coast of Florida. But they could also be key to helping this reef system one day recover.

The Florida Reef Tract, the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States, has been devastated by a stony-coral tissue loss disease, which has swept across nearly 100 miles of marine habitats, destroying whole sections of this underwater ecosystem.

In July 2018, official decided to remove healthy corals that the disease had yet reached and keep them in land-based aquaria. This monumental undertaking would hopefully keep these corals, many which were on the Endangered Species List, from becoming infected.

Members of the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums, including the Texas State Aquarium, were the only group believed to have the resources and expertise to play the role of coral caretakers in this unprecedented rescue effort. The AZA-Florida Reef

Here in this safe and sterile “ark,” Aquarium staff will keep a close eye on the coral, keeping them healthy and even allowing them opportunity to grow and propagate.

Tract Rescue Project (AZA-FRTRP) was formed, and 5,000 coral specimens representing 22 species were retrieved from the reef, packed up and shipped off to the Texas State Aquarium and other accredited zoos and aquariums. Here in this safe and sterile “ark,” Aquarium staff will keep a close eye on the coral, keeping them healthy and even allowing them opportunity to grow and propagate.

As reef-building species, these coral can do the most good back in their natural habitat. In time, if conditions in Florida improve, these corals could hopefully return home to not only thrive for themselves, but to foster the growth and recovery of Florida’s reef system.

Colpophyllia natans

Madracis auretenra

Aquarium Joins National Coral Rescue Project

arrived at the Aquarium’s delivery bay one summer afternoon might have been mistaken for any regular shipment, but what was inside was some truly irregular…and precious cargo.

At first glance, the boxes that

Aquariust Alex Hirota and Senior VP and COO Jesse Gilbert open shipment containg rescued coral