Reef Republica

08/11/2025

Amazing science at its best!

LOOK: PHILIPPINES TO LAUNCH FIRST CORAL LARVAE CRYOBANK TO FIGHT MASS REEF DIE-OFF

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) is set to open the country’s first coral larvae cryobank, a facility that will freeze and store coral life for future reef restoration.

The project is part of the regional initiative “Coral Conservation Capacity Development in the Coral Triangle: A Cryorepository Network for Coral Larvae,” involving institutions from the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The goal is to establish the first regional network of coral cryobanks in the Coral Triangle.

“It’s not just about preserving corals today, it’s about building a foundation for future research and reef restoration that can benefit generations to come,” said Dr. Maria Vanessa Baria-Rodriguez, who leads the Philippine team and heads the Interactions of Marine Bionts and Benthic Ecosystems Laboratory (IMBiBE) at UP MSI. The cryobank will be housed at the UP MSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory in Pangasinan.

Initial cryopreservation work focuses on pocilloporid corals, known for fast growth and ability to recolonize reefs, but highly vulnerable to climate stress and bleaching. Larvae are collected from monitored colonies and preserved in liquid nitrogen.

UP-MSI reported successful early-stage coral larvae cryopreservation after training sessions in Pangasinan and Taiwan, with ongoing monthly fieldwork to collect and store more larvae. The project also aims to expand to other coral species and develop advanced cryopreservation tools.

Read full story in the comments.

This story originally appeared on the Manila Bulletin news page. Graphics and edits by Destination PH.

07/31/2025

🤯

Discovered by chance during a David Attenborough documentary, a vibrant coral reef off Plymouth’s coast is now at the heart of a race to protect one of the UK’s rarest marine habitats

06/09/2025

06/08/2025

Love our oceans! 🌊

Happy !

The moment we’ve all been looking forward to is here. Join us today as we spotlight inspiring events, honor our incredible blue planet, and take bold steps toward lasting ocean protection. We’re so grateful to be on this conservation journey with all of you! 💙🌎

Explore more at WorldOceanDay.org

05/16/2025

In a powerful step toward solving plastic pollution, scientists in Japan—working with the University of Tokyo and RIKEN—have created a biodegradable plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours and breaks down in soil in just 10 days.

This plastic alternative maintains the strength and flexibility of traditional materials but disappears without a trace, reducing long-term harm to marine life and ecosystems. As plastic waste continues to choke our oceans and landfills, this breakthrough could revolutionize packaging, single-use products, and our global footprint.

From ocean to earth, this is innovation with a purpose.

05/10/2025

The best! Lmao!!🤣

02/28/2025

As excessive heat and energy warm the ocean, the increase in temperature triggers unparalleled cascading effects, including ice melting, sea-level rise, marine heat waves, and ocean acidification.

Every fraction of a degree matters, as more than half of the world’s marine species could face extinction by 2100.

Via United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/ocean-impacts

02/20/2025

Happy World Aquarium Day.

Best wishes to all the millions of people around the world that work in the aquarium industry or are passionate hobbyists.

Our industry supports livelihoods of thousands of workers across some of the poorest countries of the world, as well as bringing joy and tranquillity to hobbyists. It also brings a love and understanding of the aquatic world.

Happy World Aquarium Day!

02/12/2025

A chewable tidbit

Bioluminescence is the sole source of light for Earth’s largest habitat, the deep ocean (aphotic zone).

02/11/2025

In the spirit of Valentines Day approaching. 😉

01/30/2025

Did you know corals have two ways to reproduce? 🪸💡

1️⃣ Sexual Reproduction: Corals release eggs and s***m into the water during mass spawning events, often timed with the lunar cycle. Fertilized eggs develop into free-swimming larvae, which eventually settle and grow into new coral colonies.

2️⃣ Asexual Reproduction: Corals can clone themselves! Through budding or fragmentation, pieces of coral break off and grow into genetically identical colonies—helping reefs recover from damage.

These dual strategies ensure corals can adapt to changing environments and repair themselves after disturbances. Nature’s resilience is amazing!
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral06_reproduction.html

Diagram Credit: D.E. Williams, NOAA