The Silver Lining of a Reef in Peril: Building the Next Generation of Coral Stewards

In 2014, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first observed in the vicinity of Miami, Florida. This fast-moving, devastating disease swept through Florida's Coral Reef like wildfire. By 2022, SCTLD had become resident along the entire 360-mile length of the largest coral reef ecosystem in the continental United States, decimating already struggling coral populations and expanding its impact across the Caribbean.

It is often hard to find optimism within such a grim scenario, but as conservationists faced with the decline of ecosystems around the world, we are forced to look for the silver lining in every situation. Even in this case, there are positives to be found. The impact of SCTLD on Florida's Coral Reef launched scientists, resource managers, and regulators into a collaboration that would set the coral conservation community on a new path, a path of collaboration and innovation never before seen.

Three-Pronged Plan for SCTLD

In 2018, a three-pronged plan was launched by state and federal partners to address SCTLD along Florida's Coral Reef. This plan included:

• Caring for corals with SCTLD on the reef using novel treatments to slow the disease spread.

• Researching the disease in the laboratory to understand its process, causes, and why so many important reef-building coral species were susceptible.

• Mounting a never-before-seen rescue operation to remove thousands of corals from the reef ahead of the disease progression for safekeeping on land.

These approaches required funding, intense collaboration, and, in some cases, the immediate development of skills and technology.

Collaboration Across Sectors

To support the plan, agencies called upon universities, the non-profit sector, and zoos and aquariums to support the response plan. In late 2018, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) was invited to join the effort. The State of Florida invited the AZA to partner in the rescue effort and provide homes for the thousands of coral "reefugees" needing relocation after removal from the reef. The AZA responded, and within months, corals previously in peril from SCTLD were traveling to AZA-accredited facilities across the country.

Building Coral Care Capacity

Exciting as this collaboration was, it was evident from the beginning that the most limiting factor to the plan's success was the availability of coral caregivers. While funding and infrastructure could be allocated, the expertise needed for long-term care of these special animals was a finite resource. Thus, the need to expand the care workforce became apparent.

In 2022, another milestone was achieved. AZA facilities, in collaboration with universities and government representatives, began developing a tool to build coral care capacity.

The Coral Aquarist Program (CAP) was launched in 2023. Since then, the CAP has been a game changer for coral rescue efforts in the U.S. and is now expanding its influence across the Caribbean and beyond. The skills, expertise, and network-building fostered by the CAP are informing the coral conservation efforts of other communities struggling to save their local reefs, using the Florida coral rescue effort as a case study.

CAP Participants and Trainers work side by side (The Florida Aquarium)

CAP Participant, Stefana Roberts (Bahamas) at the Florida Coral Rescue Center (2024-2025)

CAP Participant, Alfredo Lawton (Puerto Rico) at The Florida Aquarium (2024-2025)

CAP Participant, Joe Unsworth (Uni. of Miami) at the Georgia Aquarium ( 2024-2025)

Training the Next Generation of Coral Caregivers

To date, the CAP has graduated 23 coral care aquarists and is expanding to meet the increasing demand for coral caregivers in conservation efforts worldwide. This year's participants join previous graduates from the U.S. and its Caribbean and Paqcific territories, as well as, eight countries in the Caribbean region. And this year, the course is expanding to include six training sites, aiming to nearly double the annual graduation rate.

Partners in Coral Conservation

We are proud of and wish to thank our CAP partners:

• The Florida Aquarium, Tampa, Florida

• Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia

• Florida Coral Rescue Center, Orlando, Florida

• Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska

• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Columbus, Ohio

• Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, South Carolina

• The Aquarium Vet

• AZA Learn

Welcoming the 2026–2027 CAP Cohort

We are thrilled to introduce the year's class of CAP participants:

• Ayi Ajavon — Mote Marine Laboratory / Mote SEA (USA)

• Katie St. Clair — Texas A&M University at Galveston / Sea Life Facility (USA)

• Melissa Cobo — Coral Restoration Foundation (USA)

• Nikkie Cox — Coral Restoration Foundation (USA)

• Nichole Danser — ScubbleBubbles Foundation (Aruba)

• Paige Deaton — SeaWorld San Diego (USA)

• Ernst Noijons — Reef Renewal Foundation (Bonaire)

• Maria Fernanda Maya — Blue Indigo Foundation (Colombia)

• Samantha Mehr — San Antonio Zoo (USA)

• Gracie Perry Garnette — Turks and Caicos Reef Fund (Turks and Caicos)

• Jason Quetel — University of the Virgin Islands (USVI)

• Davis Strobel — University of the Virgin Islands (USVI)

The Silver Lining

SCTLD remains one of the most devastating coral diseases ever recorded, but its impact also ignited a wave of collaboration, innovation, and capacity building that continues to reshape coral conservation. What began as a desperate response to an ecological crisis has evolved into a powerful, coordinated movement, one that is training new experts, strengthening global partnerships, and giving threatened reefs a fighting chance.

In the face of loss, we found a silver lining. The establishment of the CAP exemplifies the power of collective action in the face of ecological crises. By training a new generation of coral caregivers, we are not only addressing the immediate needs of Florida's Coral Reef but also creating a network of skilled professionals ready to tackle similar challenges across the globe.

As we look forward to the future, the expansion of the CAP and the dedication of our partners highlight a growing commitment to coral conservation. With each graduating class, we are better equipped to ensure the survival of coral populations and the ecosystems they support. Together, we can foster resilience in our oceans, turning the tide against the threats facing these vital marine ecosystems.