However, the tedious human labour and time demanded in tending to the wounds of a freshly fragmented coral, or in nursing coral babies to a physically safe size, is too high. Simply put, there are not enough people to grow enough coral polyps in order restore the world’s reefs at the necessary rates.

Corals can also asexually reproduce. Through a surgical process called, micro-fragmentation, a coral colony will rapidly repair its damaged tissue when cut. Coral polyps multiply across the wound, like clones, at an increased rate due to the immediate stress. Another celebration of scientific breakthrough!

Each year, a coral polyp will attempt to birth a coral baby. Coral babies can be grown in nurseries and in great quantities.  Through sexual reproduction, two different coral species may hybridize, which can bring a positive increase in natural genetic diversity. If they are reared successfully, coral can be selectively bred for higher survival rates in the warmer ocean temperatures of the future. This is very good news!

What does the science say?