South Florida researchers trying to prevent predatory fish from devouring laboratory-grown coral are grasping at biodegradable straws in an effort to restore what some call the rainforest of the sea.
Scientists around the world have been working for years to address the decline of coral reef populations. Just last summer, reef rescue groups in South Florida and the Florida Keys were trying to save coral from rising ocean temperatures. Besides working to keep existing coral alive, researchers have also been growing new coral in labs and then placing them in the ocean.
But protecting the underwater ecosystem that maintains more than 25% of all marine species is not easy. Even more challenging is making sure that coral grown in a laboratory and placed into the ocean doesn't become expensive fish food.
Marine researcher Kyle Pisano said one problem is that predators like parrot fish attempt to bite and destroy the newly transplanted coral in areas like South Florida, leaving them with less than a 40% survival rate. With projects calling for thousands of coral to be planted over the next year and tens of thousands of coral to be planted over the next decade, the losses add up when coral pieces can cost more than $100 each.
Pisano and his partner, Kirk Dotson, have developed the Coral Fort, claiming the small biodegradable cage that's made in part with drinking straws boosts the survival rate of transplanted coral to over 90%.
"Parrot fish on the reef really, really enjoy biting a newly transplanted coral," Pisano said. "They treat it kind of like popcorn."
Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
Growing public debt burden, shrinking fiscal space leave Africa at crossroads: UNECA
Auto industry insiders highlight interdependence between China, Europe
Meet the members of a transitional council tasked with choosing new leaders for beleaguered Haiti
Election 2024: Biden and Trump bypassed the Commission on Presidential Debates
Minneapolis smokers to pay some of the highest cigarette prices in US
House approves bill to criminalize organ retention without permission
Shooting injures 2 at Missouri high school graduation ceremony
Kate Hudson hits the stage to debut songs from her new album Glorious at star
Brazil's Romário returns to training at age 58, scores twice and keeps sharp tongue