Scientists use ‘coral IVF’ to save damaged parts of Great Barrier Reef

Damaged areas of the Great Barrier Reef are being given a new lease on life by scientists using groundbreaking technology during the annual spawning event described as the “biggest sex show on Earth”. SEE THE AMAZING PICTURES.

SCIENTISTS have hailed the “success” of a world-first large-scale trial to plant millions of baby corals on damaged sites to save the Great Barrier Reef.

In the process dubbed “Coral IVF”, experts used large inflatable “coral nurseries” to grow coral larvae during the annual spawning event two weeks ago.

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Deploying an underwater robot, millions of baby corals thermally adapted to survive mass bleaching were then settled on high-value tourist sites at Moore Reef, 42km off Cairns.

“Coral polyps are already starting to grow,’’ project leader Professor Peter Harrison, of Southern Cross University, exclusively told The Courier-Mail.

Coral larvae and grown during the annual spawning on the Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Juergen Freund

His larval restoration technique captures spawn that appears like an orange slick on the sea surface after what is described as the biggest sex show on Earth.

“Man is playing God,’’ Prof Harrison said.

“We’re excited to have successfully released millions of coral larvae back on to the Reef.

“But restoration alone cannot save these beautiful complex reef ecosystems.”

Professor Peter Harrison from Southern Cross University and Dr Katie Chartrand from James Cook University assemble the octagon larval pool. Picture: Juergen Freund

QUT professor Matthew Dunbabin believes his “RangerBots” and inflatable “LarvalBot” can help seed reefs around the world.

He said a LarvalBot was able to cover an area of 3ha of degraded reef – showering them with fertilised baby coral – in six hours.

“We’ve had significant interest from around the world to use LarvalBots to spread coral larvae where it’s most needed,’’ Prof Dunbabin said.

Professor Peter Harrison and Professor Matt Dunbabin. Picture: Gary Cranitch

In a positive outlook, the Great Barrier Reef is likely to be spared any severe mass bleaching event this summer, experts say.

Latest forecasts show no sign yet of any underwater heatwave on the 2300-km long system.

But there may be localised bleaching.

Baby corals are resettled on damaged areas of the Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Gary Cranitch

Sea surface temperatures will be about average and fewer than the average four cyclones are predicted.

“Overall, it’s predicted the summer will see warm and dry conditions until the monsoon, which will develop later than usual,’’ Dr Wachenfeld, the chief scientist of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, said.

Robots showered the fertilised baby coral onto Moore Reef, off Cairns. Picture: Peter Harrison

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley said: “While it is too early to be certain, there are some good signs in relation to the threat of further bleaching events this year.’’

Scientists said that coral polyps are already starting to form following the trial. Picture: Peter Harrison