A portable coral aquaculture system designed to be shipped in standard sea containers and deployed in remote locations is being trialled in the Maldives during the country’s coral spawning season.
Known as ReefSeed, the self-contained setup is a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI) and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO. The pilot is running on Maniyafushi Island in the South Malé Atoll to coincide with months-long mass spawning events that naturally replenish reefs.
AIMS coral reproduction and aquaculture scientist and ReefSeed co-lead, Dr Muhammad Azmi Abdul Wahab, said AIMS is proud to be playing a role in helping to support restoration efforts in the Maldives and to develop local capacity in coral restoration. “As the climate warms, coral loss from coral bleaching is a global issue, and unfortunately the coral reefs in the Maldives have not been immune,” he said.
In preparation for spawning, AIMS and MMRI teams have collected corals to bring into the ReefSeed system. Egg and sperm bundles will be fertilised and reared as larvae before being settled and transplanted to reefs on purpose-made ceramic devices.
The current trial follows training delivered by AIMS on the Great Barrier Reef during last October’s spawning, where MMRI biologists and technicians learned to operate the ReefSeed system and practised restoration techniques refined by AIMS. Dr Abdul Wahab added: “It’s exciting to see our colleagues putting this training into action and sharing their knowledge and experience on Maldivian corals with us.”
MMRI Director Khadeeja Ali said: “ReefSeed has given us hope in restoring reefs that have faced tremendous stress due to bleaching and impacts of climate change. This initiative makes coral reef restoration scalable and supports restoration of coral reefs with genetically diverse corals.
“We are grateful for this initiative, which has significantly strengthened our capacity to implement and improve coral reef restoration programs. Our colleagues are now trained in advanced restoration techniques and the use of this innovative system.
“With extensive use of ReefSeed’s technology, we are hopeful that a new era of effective and sustainable coral reef restoration can be achieved.”
CSIRO Senior Research Scientist Dr Christopher Doropoulos said: “We’ve been working with MMRI in the Maldives to train local communities on coral restoration techniques using sexually produced coral larvae since 2020.
“Some of the training includes collecting information on reef processes such as coral reproduction timing, other training involves hands-on application of restoration techniques, all published in freely available standard operating procedures. Working with AIMS and MMRI to further develop portable aquaculture systems through the ReefSeed system adds another approach to the restoration toolbox.”
The partnership was showcased at an Open Day on 16 March, attended by Maldivian ministers, MPs, government officials, the Australian High Commissioner and local NGOs. In his inaugural remarks, the Honourable Minister for Fisheries and Ocean Resources of the Maldives, Mr Ahmed Shiyam, acknowledged the importance of collaboration. “As we move forward with the ReefSeed project, it is clear that the future of our coral reefs lies in our hands. The actions we take today will determine the health of our marine ecosystems tomorrow,” he said. “By working together, we can restore what has been lost, protect what remains, and ensure that future generations of Maldivians, as well as visitors, can continue to enjoy our stunning coral reefs.”
ReefSeed has been awarded US$1.5 million (AUD$2.3 million) over three years by the G20 Coral Research and Development Accelerator Program (CORDAP), which funds research and development for coral restoration and conservation globally. The technology draws on science developed under Australia’s Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, funded by a partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
