Revolutionary Coral Fertilization in Dominican Republic: A Beacon of Hope for Vanishing Reefs

BAYAHIBE, Dominican Republic (AP) — Equipped with an oxygen tank, Michael del Rosario maneuvers through the water with gentle fin strokes, navigating an underwater nursery near the shores of the Dominican Republic. He showcases the young corals, or “coral babies,” that flourish on metallic frameworks resembling oversized spiders. With enthusiasm, he outlines the shapes of the largest specimens, which are beginning to burst with color.

Del Rosario played a crucial role in settling these small creatures into the nursery following their creation in a specialized reproduction lab operated by the marine conservation group Fundemar. The process mirrors in vitro fertilization, where coral eggs and sperm are combined to develop new coral life.

This method is increasingly popular in the Caribbean as a response to the environmental stressors that threaten coral populations, including diseases and reproductive challenges.

A Ray of Hope

“Living on an island makes us wholly reliant on coral reefs, and it’s disheartening to watch them vanish,” del Rosario expressed after surfacing, his words reminiscent of the effervescence of underwater speech. “However, witnessing the vitality of our coral offspring in their natural habitat restores the hope we were close to losing.”

The coral reefs in the Dominican Republic are in a dire state, with Fundemar’s recent surveys indicating that 70% of the reefs have less than 5% coral coverage. The widespread nature of healthy corals lowers the chances of successful natural reproduction during the spawning seasons.

“This is why programs like assisted reproduction have become critical,” said biologist Andreina Valdez, operations manager at Fundemar, at their new marine research facility. “Natural processes that once occurred regularly on coral reefs are now unlikely for many species, so we step in to assist.”

Although often mistaken for plants, corals are actually animals that reproduce annually. This event typically occurs a few days after the full moon at dusk, releasing millions of eggs and sperm into the ocean in a dazzling display. Fundemar tracks these spawning events to collect reproductive materials, which are then fertilized in the lab and nurtured until the corals are robust enough to survive on the reef.

In the lab, Ariel Álvarez studies a star-shaped coral sample under a microscope. These corals are minute, barely visible without magnification. Switching to ultraviolet light, Álvarez reveals the coral’s intricate, fractal forms on a screen, showing their true complexity.

The research facility houses numerous tanks filled with hundreds of coral fragments poised for reef reintroduction. Del Rosario notes that the lab successfully cultivates over 2.5 million coral embryos annually, with a survival rate in the wild far surpassing natural fertilization outcomes on the deteriorating reefs.

Adapting Methods

Previously, Fundemar and similar organizations concentrated on asexual reproduction techniques, which involved transplanting coral fragments to foster new growth. This method can accelerate coral growth compared to assisted fertilization.

However, the downside, according to Valdez, is that it results in genetically identical corals that share susceptibility to the same diseases. On the other hand, sexual reproduction generates genetically diverse corals, enhancing their resilience against diseases.

Assisted coral fertilization, first initiated in Australia, is now expanding across the Caribbean with significant projects underway in Mexico, Curaçao, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Jamaica. “You can’t conserve what you don’t have, so these programs are crucial for expanding coral populations,” explained Mark Eakin, a prominent figure in coral reef conservation with the International Coral Reef Society and a retired NOAA official.

Yet, addressing climate change remains a critical challenge, as Eakin points out. The continuous burning of fossil fuels elevates atmospheric greenhouse gases, intensifying global and oceanic temperatures. With ocean temperatures rising at double the rate of two decades ago, per the latest UNESCO report, corals are increasingly at risk. They suffer from bleaching, a stress response that weakens them and makes them susceptible to disease and death if conditions don’t improve.

Since 1950, the world has lost half of its coral reefs, according to a study published in the journal One Earth by the University of British Columbia.

More Than Just Beautiful Marine Life

In regions like the Dominican Republic, which are prone to hurricanes, coral reefs play a vital role in coastal protection by absorbing wave energy. “Our main attractions are our beaches,” del Rosario pointed out. “Without corals, we lose not only coastal protection but also the beaches themselves and, subsequently, tourism.”

Coral reefs also support over 25% of marine biodiversity, essential for the livelihoods of millions who depend on fishing. Alido Luis Báez, a local fisherman, experiences this first-hand. He and his father, who has been fishing since the 1970s, now travel much further from shore than before due to overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change.

“Things were different when my father began fishing. They used a sailboat and the reefs were healthy enough to support abundant fish near the coast,” Báez recounted. “Now, even spending an entire day at sea might yield only a few fish.”

Despite the challenges, del Rosario remains optimistic about reversing the decline of coral reefs. “Much more needs to be done, but we are dedicated to preserving what we cherish,” he affirmed. “And we believe many others around the world are committed to doing the same.”