(Describer) Under a round logo of a wave, title: Ocean Today.

(Describer) On the ocean floor, large flat leaves wave around branches of coral.

(female narrator) These beautiful coral reefs are in serious trouble.

(Describer) Many pieces of bleached coral lie on the floor.

They are being damaged or destroyed by pollution, disease, climate change, and a large number of ship groundings.

(Describer) A ship lies on its side.

Staghorn and elkhorn coral have become threatened species. These corals are the main building blocks of reefs in the Caribbean and Florida Keys. To address these issues, NOAA and its partners started a coral restoration effort. Using innovative techniques, like underwater coral farming and reattaching broken coral pieces, these projects transplant and restore thousands of coral colonies on damaged reef sites.

(Describer) Several divers work around a reef.

Trained SCUBA divers are given special permission to work on the reefs. These divers transplant the new pieces of coral by using cement or epoxy putty. The goal is to restore the coral reef to allow the natural inhabitants a chance to thrive.

(Describer) Pieces of coral grow at the end of tubes.

Scientists have found that the corals grown in the nurseries are able to reproduce in their new homes. This means staghorn and elkhorn have a chance for a comeback.

(Describer) A large section of staghorn grows on a reef.

It also means genetic diversity may be achieved along the reefs, allowing for stronger and more resilient ecosystems in our ocean.

(Describer) Many small yellow fish swim together.

Since healthy coral is a vital part of the ocean environment, restoring reefs brings great benefits to the waters here and around the world.

(Describer) In an animation, the Earth is shown, and a yellow glow covers half of it. Logos are shown for the Smithsonian and NOAA. Accessibility provided by the US Department of Education.

Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.