The dire state of coral reefs demands a rapid increase in the scale and efficiency of coral restoration methods in addition to mitigating local and global stressors. Larval propagation can provide vast numbers of coral propagules from an individual spawning event and increased genetic diversity in restored populations. The conversion of embryos collected from wild, broadcast-spawning populations to settlers that can be outplanted to the reef is a key component of this production process. We present preliminary results on settlement yield (i.e. % embryos converted to settled polyps on outplantable substrates) following in situ mass culture in floating mesocosms (Coral Rearing In-situ Basins, or CRIBs; 5.6 m³ volume, 5.4 m² surface area) that can be implemented independent of land-based facilities. Ten trials over 2 years were conducted in three locations using five Caribbean broadcast-spawning species. Embryos were added at different stocking densities and settlement was scored 2–4 weeks after fertilization. Two trials failed, resulting in no effective settlement, but the remaining eight trials resulted in between 1% and 11% settlement yield (overall mean 5.3%) and 77–100% of substrates exposed to larvae acquired settlers (average production: 700 substrates trial⁻¹). Parallel land-based trials showed a similar range (<1–14%) and mean (3.6%) settlement yield over nine trials. These values are also similar to the previously published lab and field-based trials using Pacific Acropora spp. Continued optimization of CRIB design and execution is expected to improve consistency, overall yield, and efficiency in the production of sexual propagules for restoration.

中文翻译：

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加勒比珊瑚幼虫大规模原位培养的沉降产量以进行恢复

除了减轻当地和全球压力源外，珊瑚礁的可怕状况还要求珊瑚恢复方法的规模和效率迅速提高。幼虫繁殖可以从单个产卵事件中提供大量珊瑚繁殖体，并增加恢复种群的遗传多样性。从野生、广播产卵种群收集的胚胎转化为可以移植到珊瑚礁的定居者是这一生产过程的关键组成部分。我们展示了在漂浮的中宇宙（珊瑚养殖原位盆地，或 CRIBs；5.6 m ³体积，5.4 m ^2体积表面积），可以独立于陆基设施实施。使用五种加勒比广播产卵物种在三个地点进行了 2 年内的 10 次试验。以不同的放养密度添加胚胎，并在受精后 2-4 周对沉降进行评分。两次试验失败，导致没有有效的沉降，但其余八次试验导致沉降率在 1% 和 11% 之间（总体平均 5.3%）和 77-100% 的基质暴露于幼虫获得的沉降者（平均产量：700 个基质试验^-1 )。平行的陆基试验显示，九次试验的沉降产率范围相似（<1-14%）和平均（3.6%）。这些值也类似于先前发布的使用 Pacific Acropora的实验室和实地试验spp. 预计 CRIB 设计和执行的持续优化将提高用于恢复的有性繁殖体生产的一致性、总体产量和效率。