Spawning School
Coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef is a scientifically, biologically and culturally important event. While the health of our Reef is at risk due to climate change, how it reproduces and replenishes itself is more important than ever. The Reef Hub is working with First Nations Land and Sea Rangers to provide hands on education and training surrounding the biological processes of coral spawning and the associated practical techniques to harness spawning and support reef recovery efforts.
In 2023 and 2024, the Reef Hub, in collaboration with Reef Recruits, has successfully led Spawning School during the annual mass spawning event. Rangers are provided with education and training in coral biology, aquarium husbandry, water quality, larval rearing, trialing coral settlement devices, and ultimately road-testing the appropriateness of these reef restoration tools for community-based groups.
Across two years the Spawning School program has trained more than 30 First Nations Land and Sea Rangers, engaged with over 60 Traditional Owner community members, and featured in a video created by ReefCast, a platform that promotes the stories and ideas of the Traditional Custodians of the Great Barrier Reef.
For full Reef Cast video with in depth interviews, please see below
A Snap Shot
Gravid coral colonies collected from Sea Country
Corals maintained in a custom aquaculture system at JCU’s Smithfield campus in Cairns
Isolated corals are monitored each evening during the spawning window for possible spawning
During the day, lessons in coral biology, reproduction, restoration techniques, monitoring water quality and practical, transferable skills with microscopes and other scientific equipment
Night time work to collect coral spawn from colonies, assist fertilisation with mixing of gametes, and settle newly developed coral embryos
into their "nursery"
Coral larvae monitored and reared over 5-7 days
Community days: being a land-based program allows easy access for the broader Frist Nations communities of the ranger groups to come and witness the work firsthand
Coral larvae settled on to reef restoration devices
Devices monitored to count how
many baby corals (aka recruits) successfully settled.
For more detail visit the Reef Recruits website
Spawning School was first run in 2023 and has continued to grow. We hope to continue to run Spawning School into the future if funding can be found to support this initiative. We value the commitment of all the participants that have made Spawning School a rewarding and growing program that builds real skills and knowledge for the future of our Great Barrier Reef.
2024
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10 days
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A core group of 17 Land and Sea Rangers with over 30 total participants over the week and a half
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Traditional Owners from Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji, Yirrganydji (Dawul Wuru), Eastern Kuku Yalanji (Jabalbina), Mandingalbay Yidinji, and Gunggandji Land & Sea Ranger groups
2023
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7 days
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A core group of 5 Land and Sea Rangers with more shot-term participants
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Rangers from Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji and Yirrganydji (Dawul Wuru) ranger groups
“This collaboration between Traditional Owners and researchers is significant, because working together in all areas of research is key to sustainable custodianship of the Reef. Walking together, not in front or behind but side by side in solidarity”
Malachi Johnson, ReefCast
Full video with in depth interviews
