Prof Harrison, who has been researching coral reproduction for 35 years, said his world-first breakthrough could restore marine environments around the world by helping coral have sex more effectively.
Experts warn coral bleaching may have killed up to half of all reef colonies on the Great Barrier Reef in the past two years, with former Australian Institute of Marine Science chief scientist Charlie Veron saying the impact was being felt in Gold Coast waters. Dr Veron fears fishing industries will fail worldwide as reefs die from the impact of global warming and ocean acidification.
Prof Harrison said coral spawns in clouds of eggs and sperm that float freely in the water currents, but many missed the reefs altogether. With $1.2 million from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and a team of local researchers, Prof Harrison said he had managed to capture coral eggs and sperm and breed them in artificial tanks.
The resulting larvae is then placed on the dead or damaged reef and protected by building tents made of organza, the material used in wedding veils and dresses, to protect them from rough seas and being eaten by fish.
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Topic: Regrowing reef: corals say 'I do' (Read 1147 times)