Get ready.....get SET......GO!
August 19th (continued!): Montastrea spawned!!!! It was quite a successful night as all three boats convened back at KML in the wee hours of the morning with enough spawn to fill 11 coolers and totes!
We all worked hard into the night diluting the spawn into the coolers/totes, and rotating who gets a break to sleep for a few hours.
The larvae is then maintained in the lab, and every 10 minutes we go around to each cooler and using a plastic transfer pipet, gently swirl around the edges of the cooler to get the larvae from sticking to the sides. We also use a squirt bottle to squirt down the edges if some get stuck.
Tents all set up and ready!
We took turns caring for the spawn on 4 or 5 hour shifts.
Pam caring for the coral larvae
We were all exhausted from a long night, but very excited about the success! While some slept, some cared for the larvae, and some started prepping for the last night out on the boat....
11 coolers and totes full of Montastrea faveolata!! Way to go everyone!
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