Bonaire Sees Major Breakthrough in Coral Reef Restoration Effort

In a breakthrough moment for coral conservation in the Dutch Caribbean, Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire successfully observed and collected grooved brain coral spawn across four sites on the island — producing more than 236,000 genetically unique larvae in a single night.

The Friday night spawning event marks a critical success for RRFB’s coral breeding program, offering a rare boost in the face of a dire two-year stretch for Bonaire’s reefs. With widespread bleaching and the spread of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) pushing many coral species to the edge, the island’s remaining colonies have become too sparse to reliably reproduce in the wild.

“Every spawning event is a critical and unique opportunity to boost the genetic diversity of Bonaire’s declining coral populations,” said Sanne Tuijten, RRFB’s Science Officer. “And with that diversity comes greater resilience.”

In a temporary onshore lab, RRFB’s team fertilized coral gametes collected from 14 colonies, using advanced assisted reproduction techniques developed in partnership with SECORE International. The resulting larvae are a sign of what scientists say is still possible — targeted restoration that supports natural processes and accelerates reef recovery.

Research has shown that young corals produced through this method exhibit high tolerance to heat stress, making them vital players in building more climate-resilient reefs. And with coral reproduction events now rare due to declining colony density, active intervention has become essential.

This month’s spawning was the program’s first of the year, with upcoming efforts focused on endangered species like elkhorn, staghorn, and pillar corals. The RRFB program is supported by Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire (OLB) and the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Quality, and Nature through the Nos ta Biba di Naturalesa initiative.

The island of Bonaire has long been one of the Caribbean’s leaders in coral reef restoration, including a major project by the island’s Buddy Dive resort that began more than a decade ago.