An innovative coral-conservation project between SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries Research (DPI Fisheries) is celebrating a ground-breaking win this week.
The partners have been working to establish a recovery programme for one of Australia’s most fragile species – the cauliflower soft coral. This follows the selection of the coral as one of the 100 priority species for the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy in 2021.
The project, supported by the Commonwealth Environment Restoration Fund and NSW Environmental Trust, has achieved significant scientific discoveries within its first year, as the team proved the long-term viability of cloned coral in an aquarium setting.
The development of aquarium rearing methods has led to the species’ re-introduction, with 200 cuttings returned to the waters of Port Stephens and Sydney Harbour at the end of March.
This week, divers from SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium conducted a health-check on the corals placed in Sydney Harbour and determined an 82% success rate for the re-planted coral – with 65% found to be very healthy and a further 17% found to be alive, but in need of some extra care.
Dr David Harasti, Senior Marine Scientist, Fisheries Research NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries Research, said, “The soft coral is at risk of disappearing from several locations in NSW. In the past five years, the soft coral colonies in Port Stephens have declined by 99%, primarily as a result of the large flood events.
“The growing of the soft corals in an aquarium and transplanting back into the wild is a pivotal step in preventing the extinction of one of the most critical endemic species of coral found only along the east coast of Australia.”
Laura Simmons, SEA LIFE Regional Curator Australia and New Zealand, said, “The cauliflower soft coral is incredibly important due to its unique nature and vulnerability and the advances we’ve made are really exciting! Furthermore, they can help protect and recover other threatened species, including the Endangered White’s seahorse, another conservation focus for SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s partnership with DPI Fisheries.”
The SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium team will continue to monitor the corals closely to understand if the re-introduced population is thriving and if they can re-establish within Sydney Harbour. The ongoing results will determine what next steps are needed to help recover this fragile endemic species, and the creatures it will provide a habitat for in the future.
For more information on the cauliflower soft coral project or to secure tickets to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Behind The Scenes Tour, visiting the coral nursery and speaking with an expert visit: www.visitsealife.com/sydney
