About The Coral Nursery
The Coral Nursery, managed by the ToBo Lab, provides stock coral to various graduate and undergraduate research projects, and is a living history of bleaching patterns tracked through bi-monthly 3D photogrammetry.
The nursery began as a restoration effort to save wild-spawned corals that grew on netting of decommissioned fish pens. Researchers in the ToBo Lab used the opportunity to launch a pilot project to determine if it is possible to farm coral and improve reef restoration using a floating midwater coral nursery. After the success of the pilot program, the Coral Nursery is now a crucial and unique facility essential to various research projects across HIMB and with collaborators. The Nursery also hosts various outreach efforts coordinated through the education program at HIMB, such as tours, summer intensive programs, internships, and more.
Booking and Inquiries
For questions about booking services through the Coral Nursery contact us at [email protected]
Background
The nursery was first constructed in 2017 by recycling decommissioned dolphin and fish pens. Corals had naturally settled on the nets of these pens over the course of approximately 10 years, these corals were rescued and transplanted onto floating racks with the assistance and guidance of the State of Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), staff, and volunteers.
The corals from the pens were transferred to the mesh racks seen here, that float in midwater and are suspended by buoys and floating platforms. This was the beginning of the pilot program to test whether an in-situ coral nursery can increase restoration efforts by increasing biomass.
Current Projects
This unique living laboratory allows us to work closely with researchers here at HIMB as well as other collaborators to provide space for in situ experiments.
Team Members
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Inquiries
If you are interested in collaborating with us or using the nursery space for your research please contact the ToBo lab at [email protected].