The Marshall Islands Conservation Society (MICS) has launched a coral heat-tolerance testing initiative and established two coral nurseries as part of the efforts to support reef restoration in the Marshall Islands.
This initiative is part of a regional project led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) with support from the Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform and scientific and technical guidance from Stanford University.
The project, “Scaling up identification, protection, and local management of climate-resistant coral reefs,” began in September 2024 across Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. It aims to equip local teams with the tools, training, and knowledge to identify heat-tolerant corals and integrate them into marine restoration and management plans.
In April, partners gathered in Majuro to begin preparations: surveying local reefs, identifying donor and nursery sites, and preparing a facility for coral stress testing. Last month, the Marshall Islands Conservation Society began the coral heat-stress experiments at the Marshall Islands Mariculture Facility.
These tests assess how different coral species respond to rising ocean temperatures. The corals are then transferred to field nurseries, where their growth and health are regularly monitored. Two nurseries have also been established in the marine protected areas of Bikirin and Dren Meo. These nurseries will help supply corals that are most suitable for future restoration efforts in the face of climate change.
In RMI, this work is led by Marshall Islands Conservation Society Fisheries Officer AJ Alik, Environmental Officer Junior Mark, and Coral Reef Monitoring Officer Keoni Kattil. Several local partners have also joined the effort, including the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, the RMI Environmental Protection Authority, and the Land Grant Program from the College of the Marshall Islands.
In the coming months, the team plans to test more coral species, expand sample collection to nearby climate-resilient reef areas, and involve more local partners in coral tagging, coral planting, and further nursery deployments.