Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute is a platinum-level Guide Star participant, demonstrating its commitment to transparency.
Coral reefs are facing unprecedented levels of decline. MOC Marine Institute’s Coral Conservation Program strives to protect the coral reefs of Hawaiʻi through collaborative restoration, threat reduction, and outreach and education.
Coral Reefs
Globally, coral reefs are facing unprecedented levels of decline. With the widespread coral decline, it is of pressing importance for us to preserve and protect our reefs for future generations. MOCMI operates one of four land-based coral nurseries in the US. It is here that we provide a safe-haven for “corals of opportunity” collected from anthropogenically cause coral reef damage incidents and is our base for restoration efforts. Through collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) on the “Restore with Resilience” project, we are advancing our capabilities of producing coral colonies that are resilient to thermal stress. These resilient colonies will be used in coral reef restoration efforts.
What are Corals?
Corals are marine invertebrates that belong to the phylum Cnidaria, the same phylum as sea jellies. Corals typically live in large colonies made up of thousands of genetically identical polyps. A polyp is one individual coral that is a sac-like animal. These coral polyps generally range from 1mm to several centimeters in diameter. Polyps are made up of a mouth surrounded by tentacles with nematocysts, digestive tissue, coenosarc, and basal plate.
Types of Coral
There are two main types of corals: Hard corals (stony, scleractinians, and hermatypic) are major reef-building corals due to the rigidity of their skeletons. Their structure is comprised mostly of calcium carbonate, which is secreted from the polyp to create the skeleton in which they live. This is the “reef” that we see, a calcium carbonate structure covered in thousands of living coral polyps. Hard coral polyps have six tentacles. Three types of hard corals exist, including massive corals (ex. Lobe coral), branching corals (ex. Elkhorn coral), and encrusting corals (ex. Rice coral).
Soft corals (gorgonians, octocorals, ahermatypic) have a flexible skeleton made up of a soft protein called gorgonin. Their structure also consists of calcium carbonate, but this only occurs in small clumps called spicules. The polyps in soft corals differ from hard corals in that they have eight tentacles. Sea fans and sea feathers are soft corals.
Soft Coral (Clavularia spp.) photo: Keoki Stender
Corals of Hawaiʻi
Often referred to as the “rainforest of the sea,” coral reefs are believed to hold the highest biodiversity of all ecosystems on earth. They occupy only a mere 1% of the ocean floor but account for nearly 25% of all marine life globally. In Hawai῾i coral reef ecosystems provide a primary source of food for our island community; protect Hawai῾i’s coastline from storms and erosion; provide habitat for thousands of marine species; and cultivates economic growth through tourism, recreational activities, and fishing.
Hawaiʻi is home to more than 80% of the coral reefs in the US and has one of the highest rates of endemism in the world. In areas of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, levels of endemism are nearly 100%; that is the highest rate of endemism for any marine ecosystem worldwide.
Coral reefs are facing unprecedented levels of decline. There are many types of stress than can threaten coral populations locally and globally. Here in Hawaiʻi, a few of the items listed below are at the forefront of coral decline.
Rising ocean temperatures in connection to global climate change are upsetting the balance of the pH of the ocean (acidification), resulting in a change in marine chemistry. Rising temperatures are also leading to widespread bleaching and, in many cases, coral death.
Rapid coastal development leads to erosion and runoff of sediment that reduces the available sunlight for coral to thrive.
Overfishing upsets the delicate balance of species in the coral reef ecosystem.
Runoff from industrial waste, non-organic agriculture, and improperly treated wastewater leads to high levels of contaminants and nutrients along coastlines that ultimately contribute directly to coral reef decline.
Vessel accidents/groundings cause damage to coral by breaking colonies, blocking sunlight if left for long periods, and contributing to pollution via marine debris and petroleum leakage. Vessel groundings break centuries of coral growth in an instant and often lead to coral death.
Coral Bleaching
Many of the threats to coral increase the likelihood of coral bleaching. Coral bleaching occurs when a stressed coral ejects all or most of the zooxanthellae from its tissues and appears white. Coral bleaching leaves coral colonies vulnerable to stressors that may result in death.
MOCMI’s Efforts
MOCMI operates one of only four land-based coral nurseries in the United States and is working to protect the coral reefs of Hawai῾i. By rapidly responding to coral reef damage incidents, expanding our testing of thermally resistant corals, and scaling up coral production we can help ensure the survival of the coral reefs of Hawaiʻi.
Coral Reef Etiquette
Help protect coral reefs while spending time in the ocean. Wear reef-safe sunscreen Do not stand on or touch coral reefs Take only photographs (leave all shells, coral, and organisms) Observe marine life from a safe distance
With our work, we ensure the survival of coral reefs, sea turtles and marine life in general. We have found that certain garments support us in our daily work more than others and help us feel more connected to the purpose of our work. This is the reason why we entered into a Positive Impact Partnership with Waterlust.
Corals
Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute is a platinum-level Guide Star participant, demonstrating its commitment to transparency.
Coral reefs are facing unprecedented levels of decline. MOC Marine Institute’s Coral Conservation Program strives to protect the coral reefs of Hawaiʻi through collaborative restoration, threat reduction, and outreach and education.
Coral Reefs
Globally, coral reefs are facing unprecedented levels of decline. With the widespread coral decline, it is of pressing importance for us to preserve and protect our reefs for future generations. MOCMI operates one of four land-based coral nurseries in the US. It is here that we provide a safe-haven for “corals of opportunity” collected from anthropogenically cause coral reef damage incidents and is our base for restoration efforts. Through collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) on the “Restore with Resilience” project, we are advancing our capabilities of producing coral colonies that are resilient to thermal stress. These resilient colonies will be used in coral reef restoration efforts.
What are Corals?
Corals are marine invertebrates that belong to the phylum Cnidaria, the same phylum as sea jellies. Corals typically live in large colonies made up of thousands of genetically identical polyps. A polyp is one individual coral that is a sac-like animal. These coral polyps generally range from 1mm to several centimeters in diameter. Polyps are made up of a mouth surrounded by tentacles with nematocysts, digestive tissue, coenosarc, and basal plate.
Types of Coral
There are two main types of corals:
Hard corals (stony, scleractinians, and hermatypic) are major reef-building corals due to the rigidity of their skeletons. Their structure is comprised mostly of calcium carbonate, which is secreted from the polyp to create the skeleton in which they live. This is the “reef” that we see, a calcium carbonate structure covered in thousands of living coral polyps. Hard coral polyps have six tentacles. Three types of hard corals exist, including massive corals (ex. Lobe coral), branching corals (ex. Elkhorn coral), and encrusting corals (ex. Rice coral).
Soft corals (gorgonians, octocorals, ahermatypic) have a flexible skeleton made up of a soft protein called gorgonin. Their structure also consists of calcium carbonate, but this only occurs in small clumps called spicules. The polyps in soft corals differ from hard corals in that they have eight tentacles. Sea fans and sea feathers are soft corals.
Corals of Hawaiʻi
Often referred to as the “rainforest of the sea,” coral reefs are believed to hold the highest biodiversity of all ecosystems on earth. They occupy only a mere 1% of the ocean floor but account for nearly 25% of all marine life globally. In Hawai῾i coral reef ecosystems provide a primary source of food for our island community; protect Hawai῾i’s coastline from storms and erosion; provide habitat for thousands of marine species; and cultivates economic growth through tourism, recreational activities, and fishing.
Hawaiʻi is home to more than 80% of the coral reefs in the US and has one of the highest rates of endemism in the world. In areas of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, levels of endemism are nearly 100%; that is the highest rate of endemism for any marine ecosystem worldwide.
Threats to Coral
Coral reefs are facing unprecedented levels of decline. There are many types of stress than can threaten coral populations locally and globally. Here in Hawaiʻi, a few of the items listed below are at the forefront of coral decline.
Rising ocean temperatures in connection to global climate change are upsetting the balance of the pH of the ocean (acidification), resulting in a change in marine chemistry. Rising temperatures are also leading to widespread bleaching and, in many cases, coral death.
Rapid coastal development leads to erosion and runoff of sediment that reduces the available sunlight for coral to thrive.
Overfishing upsets the delicate balance of species in the coral reef ecosystem.
Runoff from industrial waste, non-organic agriculture, and improperly treated wastewater leads to high levels of contaminants and nutrients along coastlines that ultimately contribute directly to coral reef decline.
Vessel accidents/groundings cause damage to coral by breaking colonies, blocking sunlight if left for long periods, and contributing to pollution via marine debris and petroleum leakage. Vessel groundings break centuries of coral growth in an instant and often lead to coral death.
Coral Bleaching
Many of the threats to coral increase the likelihood of coral bleaching. Coral bleaching occurs when a stressed coral ejects all or most of the zooxanthellae from its tissues and appears white. Coral bleaching leaves coral colonies vulnerable to stressors that may result in death.
MOCMI’s Efforts
MOCMI operates one of only four land-based coral nurseries in the United States and is working to protect the coral reefs of Hawai῾i. By rapidly responding to coral reef damage incidents, expanding our testing of thermally resistant corals, and scaling up coral production we can help ensure the survival of the coral reefs of Hawaiʻi.
Coral Reef Etiquette
Help protect coral reefs while spending time in the ocean.
Wear reef-safe sunscreen
Do not stand on or touch coral reefs
Take only photographs (leave all shells, coral, and organisms)
Observe marine life from a safe distance
Make a difference and help protect coral reefs.
Only buy sustainably-sourced seafood products
Participate in a beach or reef cleanup
Volunteer
Support coral restoration efforts
Research and Restoration Projects
With our work, we ensure the survival of coral reefs, sea turtles and marine life in general. We have found that certain garments support us in our daily work more than others and help us feel more connected to the purpose of our work. This is the reason why we entered into a Positive Impact Partnership with Waterlust.