23/06/2026
The first large‑scale coral larval enhancement trial has now completed its first spawning season at Nyinggulu (Ningaloo). It's an exciting milestone employing a similar method to that tried by AIMS scientists at the same Reef nearly three decades ago.
In the late 1990s, a team led by AIMS coral scientist Dr Andrew Heyward developed a technique whereby, following the annual spawning event, several million coral larvae were kept in floating vinyl ponds moored in Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef, until they were ready to settle on the seafloor. The larvae were then seeded onto the reef via hoses from the ponds. This work was published in the scientific literature in 2002.
A similar approach has independently been developed and enhanced over decades for larger scale production of many millions of larvae in inflatable reef pools by Prof Peter Harrison at Southern Cross University, and applied successfully in the Philippines, the Great Barrier Reef and the Maldives.
Years of knowledge-building later (including in partnership with Traditional Owners) and the iconic coral larval pools are back in WA. They look a lot less retro, and yet the scientific principles are still very recognisable!
This coral spawning season, the Nyinggulu Coral Larval Enhancement Trial has been collecting samples from spawning corals on reefs near Exmouth and mass culturing coral larvae in the floating larval pools, ready to help regeneration following coral bleaching.
This is the first project in a multi-year program led by the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI). The WA Reef Regen Program will focus on coral and reef restoration along Australia’s western coastline, jointly funded by the government and philanthropic donors.
By building upon our existing knowledge with new research and development, we intend to give WA’s coral reefs the best chance to recover, regenerate and build resilience.
Read more about the recent trial: https://www.aims.gov.au/information-centre/news-and-stories/millions-coral-larvae-get-reproduction-help-ningaloo-support-coral-restoration
For all the latest on the WA Reef Regen Program: https://wamsi.org.au/projects/reef-regen/
This research is part of the Healing Sea Country: Nyinggulu Coral Larval Enhancement Trial, led by the Western Australian Marine Science Institution, in partnership with Southern Cross University, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, CSIRO and AIMS.
📸 Brooke Pyke & AIMS
