European coral experts intensify collaboration
Tuesday, 4 March 2025
There is a growing need for knowledge of and expertise in coral breeding for the protection and restoration of coral reefs in the wild. EAZA Coral Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) chair Dr Jamie Craggs (Horniman Museum and Gardens, England) and EUAC president Max Janse (Royal Burgers' Zoo) advocate for increased cooperation between European coral experts. In a historic milestone, the Advanced Coral Husbandry Workshop will be held at our zoo from 4 to 7 March 2025. The EAZA Coral TAG will be officially set up during this EAZA Academy Recognised Course.
Stimulation of further cooperation between EAZA and EUAC
Many large public aquaria in Europe are affiliated with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), and aquarium curators have united with the European Union of Aquarium Curators (EUAC). Dr Jamie Craggs and Max Janse are both strong proponents of even closer cooperation between the two associations to further promote the international exchange of knowledge and expertise. Key goals include protecting coral reefs, supporting coral reef restoration where possible, and building an important reserve population of endangered coral species in public aquaria. In a historic milestone, the EAZA Coral TAG will be officially set up during the Advanced Coral Husbandry Workshop.
Topics on the agenda
Among other things, the 43 coral experts (25 organisations, 16 countries) will discuss common diseases among corals and how to treat them, sexual reproduction in corals and the genetic identification of coral species. Participants will also discuss progress on the World Coral Conservatory project, a global Noah's Ark for endangered coral species. Host Burgers' Zoo houses the largest living coral reef in Europe and has proven highly successful in breeding corals.
Outcome
The Advanced Coral Husbandry Workshop is a training course for all participants. This workshop officially launches the EAZA Coral TAG. A meeting will soon be held to discuss the strategy for the coming years regarding coral species in European public aquaria (known as the European ex situ population). This strategy is called a Regional Species Plan.
