Within this framework, Task Group 3.3 and 2.5 with participation from V-Corals and other key partners, are responsible for constructing and maintaining terrestrial facilities designed to support MAF restoration and evaluating the feasibility of land-based facilities. Specifically, V-Corals is tasked with constructing land-based facilities in Eilat (Red-Sea;Israel) to maintain corals and other marine organisms under controlled conditions. These facilities play a critical role in maintaining and studying marine species under ex-situ conditions, thereby contributing to our understanding of coral husbandry and the development of best practices for future conservation efforts. These facilities allow a precise control and evaluation of environmental parameters, such as water quality and light conditions, and provide a platform for testing and improving protocols that could inform broader restoration efforts. Additionally, it will contribute evaluations specific to the ornamental coral trade. These assessments will inform the design and functionality of the facilities, ensuring they meet the needs of the organisms and support the 'MP Gardeners' program. The ornamental coral trade is estimated to be a $2B industry. However, most corals in this trade are sourced from coral mining. In response, V-Corals has committed to trading only cultivated corals that are not harvested from natural reefs. By focusing on sustainable practices, V-Corals aims to reduce the impact of the ornamental coral trade on natural ecosystems while supporting the restoration and preservation of coral reefs. V-Corals conducted an experiment to compare the growth of Stylophora pistillata under three treatment protocols: the V-Corals protocol, seawater, and hybrid seawater. Conducted in closed aquariums, this study precisely controlled environmental variables, aimed to evaluate each protocol's efficiency in promoting coral growth and optimizing conditions for land-based cultivation. The findings inform protocols and contribute to the knowledge base for coral husbandry and restoration. The project enhances marine conservation by improving the ability to maintain and study marine species in controlled settings. This knowledge underpins strategies for MAF restoration, ensuring efforts are grounded in science. By focusing on constructing and evaluating terrestrial facilities, our work supports the Horizon Ocean Citizens consortium’s goals and advances marine ecosystem sustainability.
