Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve assisted in helping with hardbottom monitoring in Saint Martin's Marsh Aquatic Preserve and in Natures Coast Aquatic Preserve. Sponge, coral, invertebrates and many other aspects are being monitored as part of a 3-year grant project for the area.

Mote Marine Lab’s coral scientists joined Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserve staff to locate and map some hard corals in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve for future genetic sampling. One of the species does not fit either of the two local species in its genus. It may be a different species altogether. Four species of hard corals were observed on Tampa Bay hardbottom during this field visit with future collaborations planned.

Maurizio also visited The Florida Aquarium’s Coral Conservation & Research Center in Apollo Beach, FL where the DEP CPR Program has made significant investments. Although the Aquarium team was hard at work on coral spawning, they took the time to show Maurizio around their facilities, in which they are propagating and rearing thousands of priority corals for reef restoration.