Scientists Race to Save Mauritius Corals Through Reproduction Study

Each October, the crystal-clear waters of Blue Bay in Mauritius transform into a spectacular pink wonderland as corals release millions of eggs and sperm in a synchronized spawning event. This natural phenomenon has now become the centerpiece of an ambitious coral restoration project that could help save reefs devastated by climate change.

A team of international researchers, led by the Mauritius-based Odysseo Oceanarium and U.S. nonprofit Secore International, is preparing to collect millions of coral larvae during this year’s spawning season. The three-year initiative represents one of the largest coral restoration efforts in the Western Indian Ocean, focusing on sexual propagation rather than traditional asexual methods.

“The project really starts from scratch,” explains Gaëlle Quéré, marine scientist and project lead at Secore International. “The main objectives in the first year are to understand which species are spawning and when they’re spawning.” The research brings together experts from the University of Mauritius and local NGO Eco-Sud to study this critical reproductive process.

The timing couldn’t be more crucial. The Mauritian government recently shifted its coral restoration policy toward sexual propagation after an audit revealed disappointing survival rates from asexual restoration methods. By harnessing the corals’ natural reproductive cycles, scientists hope to create more resilient reef ecosystems capable of withstanding rising ocean temperatures and other climate-related threats. This groundbreaking approach could serve as a model for coral conservation efforts worldwide.