The EcoBlog

Despite the Great Barrier Reef experiencing the largest coral decline on record, many conservation efforts show us hope.

Corals provide a shelter for 1/4 of all marine species, and contribute about 10 TRILLION a year globally according to the NOAA. Corals are crucial, and many efforts are being implemented to save these habitats.

To start, there’s adaptation. This includes breeding heat tolerant corals, creating artificial reefs, and developing technology to preserve a diverse coral species for future use. Then there’s restoration, which includes coral transplantation where damaged corals are restored by transferring healthy coral fragments from one location to another.

Let’s find out what the NOAA has done to restore corals. The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program leads such efforts. The focus on, “Improving habitat quality for corals, preventing loss of corals and their habitat, enhancing coral population resilience, and improving coral health and survival.”

The NOAA Restoration Center focuses on planting nursery-grown corals back into reefs that need it and ensure the habitat is suitable for natural coral growth. According to the NOAA, “More than 20 coral nurseries are active throughout the Caribbean. Each year, they provide more than 40,000 healthy corals for reef restoration throughout the region.”

Published on 11/6/2025

Read more at: Restoring Coral Reefs | NOAA Fisheries