After housing more than 5,000 rescued corals for three months due to unprecedented water temperatures that caused a massive coral bleaching event off the coast of Florida, the Florida Institute of Oceanography’s (FIO) Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) is now ready to return corals to the sea. FIO is hosted by the University of South Florida.

In recent days, water temperatures have cooled to normal levels to allow for the safe relocation of corals housed in the on-land seawater systems at KML. The health of these coral specimens have been assessed and cleared for return by coral health veterinarians. 

KML biological scientists, in partnership with restoration practitioners across the Keys, will now start moving these corals back to their ocean nurseries, a process that will take several weeks or even months. Coral nurseries are like floating Christmas tree farms that allow corals to grow under the care of researchers.

Ultimately from there, these corals will be reattached to grow on natural reefs using epoxy, cement, zip ties and nails. 

“The corals housed at KML came from nurseries where they were growing out in the ocean. Unfortunately, many of the corals that could not be relocated to land-based facilities and remained in the ocean died from the hot waters,” said KML Director Cynthia Lewis. “Conditions are now right for corals to return to nurseries to grow and one day be reattached, thus restoring the reef one coral at a time.”

KML maintains one of the largest temperature-controlled seawater systems in the Florida Keys, allowing for the study of corals and other marine organisms as well as offering a refuge for thermally-stressed corals to recover and grow. With 60 tanks ranging from 40 to 1,000 gallons, the lab played a vital part in rescuing and protecting thousands of corals, including several endangered and rare species, during one of the worst bleaching events in history. 

“Increased ocean temperatures pose a serious threat to coral reefs not only in Florida, but around the world,” said Tom Frazer, professor and dean of the USF College of Marine Science. “The work being done at the Keys Marine Laboratory will help to ensure that we have a viable population of corals to sustain longer-term restoration efforts.”

The laboratory is operated by FIO, which supports all institutions in the State University System. FIO receives core funding from USF. 

“USF can be proud of the incredible impact their investments in KML are having on the recovery of Florida’s most vulnerable coral reef ecosystem,” said FIO Director Monty Graham.

The lab, located in the middle of the Florida Keys, provided easy access for partners such as The Florida Aquarium, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Coral Restoration Foundation and others to relocate corals from reefs to the sea water system for temporary refuge. 

“Thanks to KML’s infrastructure, generosity and dynamic responsiveness, we were able to rescue highly stressed corals, pulling 10 percent of our coral stock onto land and out of immediate danger,” said Phanor Montoya-Maya, reef restoration program manager for the Coral Restoration Foundation. “This ensured that even in a worst-case scenario, we will have corals to restart our restoration efforts. Saving our reefs is a community effort, and this was never more apparent than this summer when our network pulled together during one of the most extreme environmental challenges many of us have ever faced.”

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that serve as critical habitat for numerous marine life, from fish and crabs to turtles and sharks. They also act as a first line of defense from storms, buffering coasts from wave action that can result in erosion and exacerbate flooding.  

When water temperatures get too warm, corals can become stressed, expelling algae living in their tissues and turning white. During such bleaching events, corals are more likely to experience die-offs. 

Unprecedented heat waves this past summer caused one of the largest coral bleaching events in history.

As unprecedented heat waves and escalating water temperatures in South Florida create a massive coral bleaching event, the University of South Florida (USF) and Florida Institute of Oceanography’s (FIO) Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) are quickly stepping in to house thousands of coral in an attempt to save them.

Currently, KML is housing more than 1,500 coral specimens that were harvested in the past week from offshore nurseries and parent colonies and relocated to KML by partner organizations during the crisis. With 60 tanks ranging from 40 to 1,000 gallons, the lab has the capacity to house thousands more as the coral bleaching event is expected to continue.  

KML contains one of the largest temperature-controlled seawater systems in the Florida Keys, allowing for the study of corals and other marine organisms as well as offering a refuge for them to live, rehabilitate and grow. The laboratory is part of the state-wide Florida Institute of Oceanography, a consortium that supports all institutions in the State University System. Hosted by USF, FIO provides critical infrastructure like KML to support the state’s need for science. 

“For years we have been developing the infrastructure capacity to support reef restoration efforts that enable KML to temporarily house corals during emergencies such as this,” said Cynthia Lewis, director of KML. “Typically, water temperatures at this time of year are in the mid 80s, but we are already recording temperatures of 90 degrees. It is very alarming.” 

When water temperatures get too warm, corals can become stressed, expelling algae living in their tissues and turning white. During such bleaching events, corals are more likely to experience die-offs. 

The lab, located on Long Key, is in the middle of the Florida Keys, providing easy access for partners such as The Florida Aquarium, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Coral Restoration Foundation and others to relocate corals from reefs to the sea water system for temporary refuge. Many of the corals being delivered are rare and endangered species. 

It is likely that corals will be housed in land-based systems for months, with some being part of land-based breeding programs. Once these historically high-water temperatures return to normal, USF scientists in partnership with restoration practitioners across the Keys can return corals back to their off-shore nurseries and ultimately their natural environment, reattaching them to reefs using epoxy, cement, zip ties and nails. 

“We are very fortunate that aquarium systems like those at Keys Marine Laboratory are available and can be reliably used to stabilize and hold corals in emergency situations,” said Keri O’Neil, director and senior scientist of the Coral Conservation Program at The Florida Aquarium. “Some of the corals held here today will become part of our coral breeding program at The Florida Aquarium and will be given world-class human care for the rest of their lives, producing hundreds of offspring every year. When the time is right to return those offspring to the reef, they will once again have a short stay at Keys Marine Laboratory before returning to the ocean.” 

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that serve as critical habitat for numerous marine life, from fish and crabs to turtles and sharks. They also act as a first line of defense from storms, buffering coasts from wave action and erosion that can cause flooding.  

We have some exciting news! The Keys Marine Lab has transitioned into our Phase Two Reopening! This increases KML’s capacity to 50% and allows us to host small educational groups of up to 10 people.

Additionally, Phase Two adds a COVID-19 Illness Incident Contingency Plan section to the pre-arrival Health Status Survey Form. Due to KML’s relatively remote location with limited local care facilities, it is necessary for visiting groups to devise a  detailed response plan in of the event of a suspected COVID-19 infection during your stay. KML will facilitate in any way possible should this situation arise, but the PI of each group bears the primary responsibility for their group contingency plan.  

New Phase Two requirement:

All groups will be required to submit a COVID-19 Illness Incident Contingency Plan for review and approval before arrival. An outline for this plan is on page two of KML’s Prearrival Health Status Survey. This plan includes the steps to be taken by your group in the event of suspected COVID-19 illness. This should include who and how your group will provide care, especially if medical care or hospitalization is necessary (see our Health Care Facilities document), getting tested, etc. Your plan must also address your protocols to vacate KML as soon as safely possible and return home to isolate, quarantine, and/or receive medical attention. KML will facilitate as best as possible in this process but it is the responsibility of your group to have a contingency plan in place.

Phase Two continued requirements

1)  Pre arrival COVID-19 testing, Health Status Surveys, and twice daily temperature checks while on site.

2) KML will still only book 1 group per Dorm unit (no mixing groups) however we may split a single group of 10 people between 2 dorms as needed.

3) Face masks are still mandatory (as per Monroe Co) indoors, and outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained.

4) Daily disinfecting of all high-touch surfaces is still in effect.

As always KML is here to facilitate your field research and education needs safely and efficiently. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. For more information on KML’s response to COVID-19 please see our COVID-19 Information page.  

We hope to see you all soon!

KML Staff

KML PHASE 1 Reopening:

We are happy to announce that the Keys Marine Lab reopened July 10 under our Phase 1 Plan! We would like to take this opportunity to welcome small research groups back to KML as well as highlight the ongoing protective and preventive measures we have put into place to ensure your research groups’ safety and success at KML.

What does Phase 1 mean for your research?

Phase 1 allows KML to host small research groups of five (5) people or less conducting essential, time sensitive activities. While graduate students can be included in these groups, no education-oriented courses will be permitted during Phase One. Transitioning to the next phases of operations will be directed by our FIO ICAC and dependent on changing state and local conditions.

What are we doing to ensure your safety while at KML?

KML staff have been briefed and the KML facilities have undergone inspection by the FIO Infection Control Advisory Committee, headed by infectious disease medical professionals at USF the protocols and procedures in the attached document have been approved for the KML Phased Re-opening Plan. 

Below is a break down of cleaning and safety procedures additional information can be found on our COVID Information Page.

KML General health and safety measures:

All members of the group must be viral RT-PCR tested seven (7) days prior to arrival and provide proof of negative results before access to KML. The Health Status Survey must be completed and submitted 24-hours prior to arrival.

Masks or proper facial coverings will be required by all persons while on the grounds of KML when indoors or when outdoors and 

proper social distancing (six feet) cannot be maintained (on vessels, working at SW tables, etc.

There will be only one group scheduled per common cooking and living space within the dorms. Dorm capacities will be restricted.

 Plexiglas dividers have been installed in common use areas such as the main Dry Lab to assist with workspace protections. Markings on floors and working spaces or common use areas will help to ensure proper social distancing.

Daily Health Checks:

All visitors at KML and KML staff will undergo twice daily temperature checks and health screenings to ensure the safety of all KML users and staff. Checks will be performed morning and afternoon by KML Staff outside the science office.

Daily Disinfection Protocols:

KML staff disinfect all common use areas (dry labs, classroom, walkthrough lab) twice daily.

All high touch common surfaces (doorknobs, handles, handrails) are disinfected more frequently.

Disinfection and hand sanitizing stations have been set up throughout the facility. Enhanced access to cleaning and disinfecting supplies are readily available in all common areas.

Cleaning (Between Groups):

All Dorms and living areas will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly after each group departs. Dorms will remain empty between each group to allow time for proper sanitizing.

With these precautions in place, KML staff is dedicated to ensuring that KML remains a safe place to conduct your research during this pandemic. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with FIO’s Operations at KML ’Phased Reopening Plan’ and FAQs prior to booking and arrival. These documents can be found on our website here. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact KML staff.

We hope to be able to safely and effectively facilitate your research project soon.

Best wishes,
KML Staff