SECORE Workshop 2006 (Puerto Rico)

Healthy Elkhorn coral stand; source: Eric Borneman

The 2nd SECORE workshop was held from August 10-17, 2006, in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is an ideal fieldwork location since it has some of the largest remaining Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) stands, one of the first corals listed as 'threatened' under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

The workshop was the greatest effort ever undertaken to establish a captive population of the Elkhorn coral, obtained from gametes collected in the wild. So far, it has been almost impossible to keep the Elkhorn coral under aquarium conditions or to raise juveniles from field collected gametes.

 Destroyed Elkhorn coral; source: Eric Borneman

 

Some results of the 2nd SECORE workshop:

In vitro fertilization of coral eggs at the beach; source: Brenna Hernandez
  • Successful collection of gametes of the Elkhorn coral at two different locations in Puerto Rico.
  • Fertilization of Elkhorn coral gametes under laboratory conditions, with a fertilization rate of 60 to 90%.
  • Successful development of 900.000 Elkhorn coral larvae.
  • Collection of larvae of brooding coral species (Golfball coral, Favia fragum, and Lettuce coral, Agaricia humilis), followed by successful transport and settlement at participating institutions.
  • Successful basic physiological research to develop cryopreservation techniques to conserve larvae and sperm.
  • Larval survival rate of 90 to 100% after transportation to participating institutions.
  • Settlement success of 10 to 30% for different institutions.
  • More than 800 recruits have been established in several aquaria in Europe and the USA one year after the workshop.

Inspection of collection net; source: Brenna Hernandez

Collection site Rincon, Puerto Rico; source: Michaël Laterveer

 

The workshop was hosted by Dr. Dirk Petersen and Michaël Laterveer (Rotterdam Zoo), Eric Borneman (University of Houston), Mike Brittsan (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium), and Dr. Mary Hagedorn (Smithsonian Institution). Coral specialists from 15 public aquaria and research institutions from Europe and the USA participated in the practical sessions - both field work and laboratory work - and theoretical sessions.

Lectures were given by Dr. Dirk Petersen (Chair of the Board of Directors of SECORE and expert in captive coral breeding), Eric Borneman (expert in the husbandry of Elkhorn coral), Dr. Alina Szmant (expert in sexual reproduction in Caribbean coral species), and Dr. Mary Hagedorn (expert in cryopreservation, coral physiology and rearing techniques).

 

Participants of the second SECORE workshop (in alphabetical order):

  • Dominique Barthélémy (Océanopolis Brest, France)
  • Eric Borneman (University of Houston, USA)
  • Mike Brittsan (Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, USA)
  • Mitch Carl (Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, USA)
  • Barret Christie (Aquarium at Moody Gardens, USA)
  • Andy Dehart (National Aquarium in Washington D.C., USA)
  • James Go (Shedd Aquarium, USA)
  • Raúl Gouveia (Oceanario de Lisboa, Portugal)
  • Dr. Mary Hagedorn (Smithsonian Institution, USA)
  • Scott Jervas (Berkshire Museum, USA)
  • Michaël Laterveer (Rotterdam Zoo, the Netherlands)
  • Andrew McLeod (The Deep, UK)
  • Pablo Montoto Gasser (Zoo Aquarium Madrid, Spain)
  • Dr. Luis Padilla (Smithsonian Institution, USA)
  • Dr. Dirk Petersen (Rotterdam Zoo, the Netherlands)
  • Mark Schick (Shedd Aquarium, USA)
  • Jessica Spino (National Aquarium in Baltimore, USA)
  • Ramon Villaverde (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, USA)
  • Justin Zimmerman (Sea World of Florida, USA)

Volunteers:

  • Willima Busch
  • William Hagedorn
  • Clyde Woodburn
  • Kelly Coates
  • Ana Oller Sanchez

Participants SECORE workshop 2006; source: Brenna Hernandez

The workshop was supported by:

  • Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
  • Rotterdam Zoo
  • Smithsonian Institution
  • University of Houston
  • Shedd Aquarium
  • European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)
  • Association of Zoos and Aquaria (AZA)
  • Dr. Andrew Bruckner, NOAA Fisheries
  • Dr. Alina Szmant, University of North Carolina
  • Dr. Nilda Aponte & Dr. Ernesto Weil, Dept. of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico