UF-led research gets help from NFL player and an Air Force veteran to restock sea urchins on coral reef

Urchins utilizing critically endangered staghorn corals for shelter one week after being placed on Rainbow Reef. These corals were restored in 2021 during the 100 yards of hope project. While urchins can help corals by eating algae, corals can also help urchins by providing valuable shelter. 
CREDIT: Dalton Hesley, University of Miami Rescue a Reef Program.

On and off for the past 40 years, scientists have tried to restock coral reefs with sea urchins. By eating harmful algae that can smother the reefs, urchins preserve them as habitats for marine life. Researchers with the University of Florida, the University of Miami and the Frost Museum worked with citizen scientists including an NFL player (who at the time of the experiment, played for the Miami Dolphins) an Air Force veteran and other volunteers.

They conducted an experiment for a newly published study in which they successfully restocked a reef off Key Biscayne with sea urchins. Their findings give scientists hope that they can restock other coral reefs in the Caribbean so those habitats can thrive. Please see attached news release.

For an interview, please contact me at [email protected] or Brad Buck, at [email protected].

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