Coral reefs, an essential hardbottom habitat found in Florida, are one of the most diverse ecosystems on planet earth and home to many ecologically important fish and invertebrate species (Carpenter et al., 2008, Idjadi & Edmunds, 2006). Reefs also support the fishing and tourism industry; the coral reefs of Southeast Florida are estimated to have an economic value of $8.5 billion, with $4.4 billion in local sales and $2 billion in local income, providing 70,400 jobs to residents (Johns et al., 2001). As commercial and residential development continues, it is essential for coral reefs to help assist in shoreline protection and prevent erosion of infrastructure (FWC, 2019). Since the 1980’s coral reefs have seen a significant decline in coral cover from biological and anthropogenic stressors, both local and global, ranging from nutrient run off, increase in water temperatures, and ocean acidification, these stressors will only become more prolific, as climate change continues (Muldrow, 2020; FWC 2019).  

   In response to decades of decline, coral restoration is being conducted along the Florida Reef Tract, primarily focusing on coral gardening techniques utilizing Acropora cervicornis (Young et al., 2012; Lirman et al., 2010). As reef restoration work continues, a need to focus on slower growing bouldering and mounding corals needs to be explored (Forsman et al., 2015). Due to their slow growth rates, these species have not been focused on for restoration (Page et al., 2018). The micro-fragmentation method, coupled with ex-situ nurseries allow rescue coral to be fragmented into square centimeter pieces, allowing little material to be collected from the wild (Page et al., 2018). Growing fragments in tanks allows for coral to remain in disease free and stable conditions year-round and gives practitioners daily access to care for corals (Forsman et al., 2015). Cutting corals to such a small size, in stable conditions, allows for corals to accelerate in growth, which is advantageous for survival (Forsman et al., 2015; Okubo et al., 2006). These fully grown fragments will be fragmented again to restock the nursery or outplanted onto degraded reefs (Page et al., 2018). This technique has been utilized in the Florida Keys since 2013, with the overall goal of not only increasing coral cover but making corals sexually mature faster, so they can reseed the degraded reefs themselves.  

   Utilizing these techniques the nursery houses ~15,000 corals, three which are listed as ESA threatened species and four which are susceptible to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). Sea Base grows and produces Solenastrea bournoni (Smooth Star Coral), Porites astreoides (Mustard Hill Coral), Pseudodiploria strigosa (Symmetrical Star Coral), Acropora palmata (Elkhorn Coral), and Acropora cervicornis (Staghorn Coral). The nursery primarily focuses on producing Montastraea cavernosa (Great Star Coral), Pseudodiploria clivosa (Knobby Brain Coral), and Orbicella faveolate (Mountainous Star Coral).  Florida Sea Base’s (FSB) land-based nursery is used primarily used as an educational tool for scouting and non-scouting groups, where young men and women can experience what it is like to be a restoration practitioner put also contributes to local restoration efforts. Once fragments are fully grown they are outplanted on degraded reefs. In 2022 Florida Sea Base outplanted 4,000 corals off the Lower Keys. Each year Florida Sea Base plans to outplant 4,000 corals on local degraded reefs with the help from scouts! 

Utilizing a diamond blade tile saw, corals of opportunity are cut into small fragments. These corals are acquired from rescue or partnering nurseries. When cutting a coral of opportunity, all the sides of the coral are abraded to stimulate a growth response. Once the coral has been abraded, it is cut into small 1cm wide strips. Next these strips are cut into strips, it is cut into micro-fragments of 1cm sq. in size. After a micro-fragment has been produced it will be super glued onto a ceramic plug where it will grow the full size of the plug in our raceways for 6- 12 months. Once the fragment has grown the full size of the plug it can be fragmented again or outplanted to degraded reefs.  

Corals are outplanted in locations that offer the best chance of survival, as well as, help restore natural distribution.  Once locations for outplant sites are determined, algae is removed from the skeleton using a wire brush. Divers will drill / prepare the area creating an area or array to place fragments. After the array is prepared by drilling holes, the plugs are pushed into the holes and adhered to reef using a two-part marine epoxy. To monitor corals all arrays, have an associated aluminum tag recording the date outplanted, species, genotype, and number of plugs in an array. This will help the BSA identify resilient species and genotypes.