Coral Nursery

Marine biologists and specially-trained volunteers monitor a coral nursery in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Underwater nurseries like this one are permitted by the sanctuary to help replenish wild populations of corals. Once they've grown enough and are sufficiently healthy to withstand the move, these coral pieces will be transplanted to damaged reefs in the sanctuary where there has been a vessel grounding or areas where coral populations have declined due to major environmental events like coral bleaching.