SECORE International

10/15/2026

❗From one-third → to nearly half of reef-building coral species are threatened with extinction

A reassessment of threatened reef-building coral was undertaken through the IUCN SSC Coral Specialist Group, with data and expertise acquired from more than 60 coral experts globally including our very own Dr. Margaret Miller. The findings were published TODAY in Nature. 👈🏻

The study updates the first global IUCN Red List assessment of reef-building corals from 2008 which found one-third of reef-building corals classified as threatened. In this latest reassessment, the authors used data up until 2020, and their findings reveal a significant decline in the status of reef-building corals. According to this study of 892 reef-building coral species on the IUCN Red List, 340 of the 774 species that had enough data to be assessed (44%) were threatened with extinction. The main threat to these reef-building corals is heat stress associated with climate change. This study emphasizes the importance of limiting further warming to maintain reef ecosystem function and biodiversity. 🪸

🗒‼️Note: this reassessment was done before the extraordinary increase in ocean temperature and global coral bleaching event of 2023–2025. The authors therefore stress that the current extinction rate is likely higher than what was stated in this latest assessment.

Read the paper in full in Nature. Link in our Linktree.
Photos by Paul Selvaggio

10/13/2026

🤔How do different environmental variables influence outplanted coral survival and retention?

This important question is exactly what our team alongside the Australian Institute of Marine Science are researching in Curaçao as part of the Global Tech Transfer Project.

In September, representatives from AIMS visited our Curaçao team. Together, they surveyed and deployed approximately 800 SECORE Stars with recently settled elkhorn coral ( ) recruits at 20 sites across 10 reefs. The site selection represents a range of environmental conditions which will allow us to investigate how these differences may influence Seeding Unit yield.

Our team will return in approximately 9 months to monitor the Stars and assess coral survival and retention. Make sure you are following us to hear about the results from this site selection project!!

👏A huge thank you to Sea Natives for their amazing support throughout the outplanting effort!
An additional thank you to Builders Vision, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Vere Initiatives.

Photos by Emily Hudson, our onsite Research & Restoration Technician

10/02/2026

Testing our technology 🔩🔧

Spawning season in Mauritius is quickly approaching which means our technology will soon be out in the water helping us rear the next generation of coral babies. In preparation, our Mauritius team recently performed a dry-test of some of our technology to ensure everything is in order.

They unpacked, assembled and repacked some of our technology including our CRIB and one of our new prototypes we’re working on.

These will soon be deployed so make sure you are following us for the latest updates 🤩

➡️👏 Odysseo Oceanarium Mauritius, Eco-Sud, the University of Mauritius and Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform

09/30/2026

A final “🎉” for !

Today marks the last day of SECORE September. Over the last month, we have introduced you to our field team in Mauritius, Florida, Curaçao and Mexico. You’ve learned so much about coral reefs! From how corals eat and their mind-blowing lifespan, to the different reef types and how our coral restoration method works to protect them! 🪸
It’s been a busy month, but we are so happy you joined us for the ride! Did you learn something new? Let us know in the comments! ⬇

Although we have come to the end of SECORE September, that does not mean an end to showing up for coral reefs!
💡You can turn one month of support into a regular activity! How?

➡ Consider becoming a monthly coral champion. Help protect the animals you love by making a recurring donation. (link in bio)
➡ Share and like our posts across social media to help raise awareness!

Together we have the power to make a difference for coral reefs. Will you join us?


PS: As a thank you for being with us throughout , starting tomorrow you can redeem 20% off EVERYTHING in our EU and US merch shop! 👀🥰 (Link in bio)

Photos by Paul Selvaggio and illustrations by Bernhard Speh

09/29/2026

When ashore, we can miss our coral babies

💡Our Mexico team found a solution: Using cutting-edge 3D modeling technology, they can not only keep an eye on their outplanted coral babies but also monitor their development.

Each year, they take thousands of underwater photos of the reefs and outplanted coral babies. 📸These images are stitched together to create two different types of 3D models—Orthomosaic Models and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). Orthomosaic Models provide a bird’s eye view of the reef; Zoom in and you get the DEMs that show the reef and individual coral colonies in all their complexity and detail. 🪸
By repeating this process each year, we are able to accurately measure survival, growth, health, and long-term reproductive potential.

A special shoutout to Coralium: La Vida de un Coral for their collaboration and support.

09/29/2026

09/27/2026

✨🇲🇽

In early September, coral colonies in Mexico began spawning.

Our team with support from Tania, our Caribbean Training Coordinator, Coralium: La Vida de un Coral and several volunteers successfully collected and fertilized gametes from Orbicella annularis, more commonly known as the Boulder star coral.

Make sure you are following us for updates on the coral babies 🙂

Videos by Tania Doblado Speck


UNAM Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

09/26/2026

📍Puerto Morelos

For the final weekend of , we're taking you to Mexico! 🇲🇽
Our on-site team consists of Sandra Mendoza Quiroz, our Restoration Coordinator, and Raúl Tecalco Rentería and Alejandra Woolrich Arrioja as our Restoration Technicians, completed by our intern, Gabriela Lopez. Honorary members of our team are Anastazia Banaszak (Lead Scientist at Coralium: La Vida de un Coral, UNAM Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) and her team who are continuously supporting us with our coral restoration efforts. 🤝

Our Mexico team is based out of Coralium lab, which is equipped with a larvae rearing system and land-based nursery that are perfect for settling coral larvae and giving the coral babies a safe, protected environment to develop and grow before taking their next step out on the reef.

This SECORE September, support our team in raising even more resilient coral babies. 🪸

Make a donation today (Link in bio).

Photos by Paul Selvaggio

09/25/2026

Corals are not rocks; they’re hunters!

Corals get energy from the photosynthetic algae that live in their tissue, but that’s not the whole menu. They also feed by collecting organic particles, capturing plankton, and—depending on the size of the coral polyps—even small shrimp or fish.

Many reef-building species hunt after dark. They extend their tentacles lined with stinging cells called nematocysts, ready to catch tonight’s dinner.
Once they catch something, the tentacles curl toward the mouth and push the dinner inside the polyps mouth.
Because polyps in a colony are connected by living tissue, nutrients can be shared across the whole colony.

In this video you see just that, mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata) polyp using its tentacles to catch brine shrimp (Artemia).

Bon appétit!


Video by Raul Tecalco ✨

09/23/2026

This is the journey of a coral 💙

With sound science as the basis of our work, findings are translated into innovative technologies and tools to implement reef restoration at much larger scales than currently possible.
By collecting spawn, fertilizing it in a controlled setting, giving them the perfect first home and raising the larvae in our floating CRIB’s, we produce genetically diverse, more heat-resistant offspring.

Swipe though to see where we intervene to give our coral babies the best possible start!

And if you’re wondering how you can help, we got you:
➡SHARE THIS POST 📲 spread the wonder of coral science.
➡DONATE ✨just $5 funds real reef restoration. Link in bio.
➡FOLLOW SECORE International ☑️ because the more we understand corals, the better we can save them.

The photos were taken by Paul Selvaggio and our SECORE team