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."
Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored
Rotting bodies and fake ashes spur Colorado lawmakers to pass funeral home regulations
Twyla Tharp dance will open 700
This is the surprising risk of Ozempic NO ONE talks about
Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran’s acting president?
Redfin agrees to pay $9.25 million to settle real estate broker commission lawsuits
Russia defends veto of UN resolution to prohibit nukes in outer space
Analysis: Larson enters conversation with Verstappen as best drivers in the world
This is the surprising risk of Ozempic NO ONE talks about