How Coral Vita’s Different

The majority of coral farming projects today use ocean-based nurseries . Ocean-based nurseries are appealing for small-scale restoration projects because they can be assembled at low cost and support fast-growing branching species like Staghorn and Elkhorn corals. Unfortunately, such nurseries don't offer an effective and scalable means for executing large-scale restoration projects, especially since they are almost entirely grant-funded. Coral Vita grows corals in land-based farms, which provide crucial advantages for the company and reef stakeholders.

Unlike ocean-based projects, land-based farms can use breakthrough techniques that allow for faster growth of more diverse array of corals. By using microfragmenting - a process pioneered by the Mote Marine Laboratory  - we can accelerate coral growth up to 50x natural rates. Many coral species that serve as critical building blocks for reefs (such as Brain or Great Star corals) grow too slowly to be feasible for restoration projects using ocean-based nurseries. Now, Coral Vita can grow these corals in months rather than decades.

Land-based coral farming enables the usage of assisted evolution techniques to improve coral resiliency to changing oceanic conditions that threaten reef health. Corals that are native to each restoration project can be raised to be more tolerant to threats such as warming temperatures or acidification, as we can control their growing conditions. Coral Vita advisors are leading experts in coral resiliency and accelerated growth methods, putting the company at the forefront of efforts to help reefs survive for future generations.

Farming corals on land further reduces risks that ocean-based nurseries are exposed to, such as storms, boating accidents, or warming events. Also, ocean-based farming limits the type of corals to the site-specific location of the nursery. Growing corals on land allows us to produce a range of native corals which meet the needs of a particular site, as Coral Vita can tailor water conditions that replicate those of restoration site. Sooner rather than later, Coral Vita's land-based farming offers a viable solution to counter large-scale degradation.