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As reefs vanish, assisted coral fertilization offers hope in the Dominican Republic
Fundemar produces over 2.5 million coral embryos annually to boost genetic diversity and restore reefs suffering from climate change impacts, including bleaching and habitat loss.
- At Fundemar's marine research center in the Dominican Republic, Fundemar grows 'coral babies' in underwater nurseries off the Dominican Republic coast and plants over 2.5 million coral embryos per year on degraded reefs.
- Warming seas have left oceans warming at twice the rate of 20 years ago, UNESCO's State of the Ocean Report last year found 70% of Dominican Republic reefs have less than 5% coral cover.
- In the laboratory, Ariel Álvarez uses laboratory microscopes and ultraviolet light to monitor microscopic larvae settling on star-shaped settlement substrates, though only 1% survive in the ocean.
- For local fishers such as Alido Luis Béez, assisted sexual reproduction creates genetically diverse corals that reduce disease risk, while restored reefs support coastal protection, tourism, and fisheries hosting over 25% of marine life.
- Across the Caribbean, leading projects at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and Carmabi Foundation in Curaçao expand assisted fertilization, but experts warn the `800-pound gorilla` of climate change threatens restoration.
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31 Articles
31 Articles
Associated Press News+30 Reposted by 30 other sources
As reefs vanish, assisted coral fertilization offers hope in the Dominican Republic
In an underwater nursery just off the Dominican Republic coast, tiny corals born in a laboratory are slowly growing under the eye of conservationists.
·United States
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Total News Sources31
Leaning Left7Leaning Right5Center19Last UpdatedBias Distribution61% Center
Bias Distribution
- 61% of the sources are Center
61% Center
L 23%
C 61%
R 16%
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