Coral Spawning International are supporting SeaGen Aquaculture to advance the science and practice of large-scale coral restoration in Australia. This initiative brings together SeaGen’s expertise in commercial marine hatchery operations and Coral Spawning International’s world-leading knowledge in land-based coral spawning and restoration techniques, led by co-founder Dr Jamie Craggs.
The project is at the heart of an ambitious initiative to scale up coral restoration, moving beyond small, isolated efforts to develop circular economic models that fund ecosystem recovery. By integrating proven commercial aquaculture practices with cutting-edge coral spawning methods, the project aims to unlock new, cost-effective approaches for restoring coral reefs at scale.
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Recent milestones include trials at SeaGen’s state-of-the-art hatchery, where innovative spawning setups and gametogenesis monitoring are underway. These trials blend the latest scientific advances with practical hatchery techniques, enabling the production of abundant, genetically diverse coral larvae for restoration projects. The team is also exploring how shellfish production strategies can be adapted to increase coral output, further enhancing restoration capacity.
CSI is supporting SeaGen Aquaculture through a combination of strategic guidance and husbandry expertise. This includes advising on coral spawning protocols and facility design, providing species-specific guidance on reproductive timing and husbandry, and training SeaGen staff in coral fertilisation, embryo rearing, settlement, and grow-out. CSI also supports selective breeding for resilience and distinctive colour strains.
This initiative ensures that SeaGen’s restoration efforts are grounded in the latest scientific research and best practices, maximising the impact and scalability of coral restoration in Australia.
Coral reefs face unprecedented threats from climate change and local pressures. Large-scale restoration, powered by collaborations like this, is essential to secure their future. By combining commercial aquaculture infrastructure with advanced coral spawning science, SeaGen Aquaculture and Coral Spawning International are setting new standards for restoration efficiency, genetic diversity, and ecosystem resilience.