In a landmark achievement for marine science in the Western Indian Ocean, the first land-based coral spawning facility in Africa and the region has officially become operational on Praslin Island, Seychelles. Part of Nature Seychelles’ Assisted Recovery of Corals (ARC) facility, this pioneering lab is the result of a strategic partnership between Nature Seychelles, Coral Spawning International (CSI), and Canon EMEA.
Moving beyond “coral gardening” techniques which often rely on fragmentation and result in genetically identical clones, this facility focuses on controlled sexual reproduction. This approach is designed to increase the genetic diversity and thermal resilience of reefs, providing a critical buffer against the escalating threats of climate change and coral bleaching.
Since its launch in November 2025, the lab has already recorded its first successful spawning event. Researchers documented the production of approximately 800,000 coral embryos from the species Acropora tenuis cf. macrostoma. Early data is exceptionally promising, with roughly 65,000 new corals successfully settling.
Supported by Canon’s advanced imaging technology, the facility allows scientists to observe and document reproductive processes with unprecedented clarity. These insights are vital for building a “genetic bank” of resilient species. As the project moves into its next phase, the focus will shift toward outplanting these lab-grown juveniles onto the reef and expanding local technical expertise through specialized training.
This milestone represents scalable impact, offering a blueprint for high-tech, science-led restoration across the WIO region.
Read more about the lab here
Photo: Acropora tenuis cf. macrostoma spawning for the first time in the Nature Seychelles ARC facility.
