Supporting Coral Reef Restoration

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Corp. said it will provide additional funding to The Florida Aquarium’s mission to protect and restore the Sunshine State’s reefs.

Last year, the Tampa-based aquarium enacted the largest out-planting of staghorn coral in the state’s history as part of a multiyear effort to save the Florida Reef Tract, which stretches about 360 miles along the southeastern coast and is the world’s third largest barrier reef.

When the aquarium’s coral restoration efforts were adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock — which already had a financial commitment to the project— increased its funding.

“Great Lakes has been an amazing partner, and their commitment to coral reef restoration through their investments and actions is to be commended,” said The Florida Aquarium president and CEO Roger Germann in a statement. “We are grateful for their increased support of our important coral research and science efforts.”

During the last 18 months, its Center for Conservation celebrated successful spawning of endangered Atlantic pillar and ridged cactus coral — both firsts in laboratory setting.

A video about the aquarium’s coral restoration efforts can be seen here.