Woppaburra Coral Project

Begun in 2019, scientists and Woppaburra Traditional Custodians have worked together on Country for a better future for coral reefs and culture through the Woppaburra Coral Project.

Centered on the southern inshore Great Barrier Reef (Keppel Islands), near Yeppoon, in Woppaburra sea Country, the project has

advanced ways to fast-track reef recovery through coral seeding,
provided a deep understanding of respectful engagement between marine science and Traditional Custodians, and
developed and implemented formal training and employment pathways for Traditional Custodians in coral aquaculture.

The Woppaburra Coral Project is part of the Australian Coral Reef Resilience Initiative, in partnership with BHP.

What is coral seeding?

Coral seeding refers to restoration methods aimed at introducing young corals onto a reef, to boost the number that survive to maturity and therefore aid reef recovery.

The Woppaburra Coral Project team advanced a coral seeding approach that involves small devices that young coral attach to in aquaria. Just days after spawning, young, swimming coral larvae settle down on the devices and develop into small coral polyps. Once the coral polyps are well established (within 1-4 weeks), the devices are placed or ‘sown’ onto reefs where the corals grow and spread onto the natural reef surface, potentially helping speed up the recovery of reefs from damage following cyclones and coral bleaching.

a close up of several young round corals on a solid device that has lots of pink encrusting algae on it. a hand in a blue glove is just visible on the left, holding the device — Coral seeding involves breeding young corals in aquaculture and placing them on reefs in need of help to accelerate recovery. Image: C Randall

Success across seeding, science and sea Country

The Woppaburra Coral Project has accomplished goals across science, Traditional Custodian partnerships and training.

An infographic containing information on the successes of the Woppaburra Coral Project across science, Traditional Custodian partnerships and training and education

Advancing the science on reef restoration and adaptation

Experiments during the Woppaburra Coral Project advanced our understanding of coral reproduction and the early lives of corals to improve coral seeding approaches.

Observations of reef and coral communities during and after coral bleaching events added to AIMS’ long-term knowledge of reefs in this area and provided important context for future reef restoration initiatives.

More than 20 experiments were conducted throughout the Woppaburra Coral Project with most taking place on sea Country, and at AIMS’ National Sea Simulator.

three divers close to the reef, working. bubbles are streaming out of their regulators — A team of more than 20 scientists were involved in the Woppaburra Coral project, in the field and lab. Image: C. Paige

Science advances include:

identification of coral species and reefs environments best suited to coral seeding efforts in this region
innovations in seeding device design
comparison of larval rearing techniques to inform different restoration needs
improved understanding of coral communities within the Keppel Islands area, including biodiversity, the impact and recovery from severe coral bleaching events, and patterns of natural coral settlement.
establishment of baseline Woppaburra reef soundscapes
collection of genetic samples to describe the full suite of Woppaburra coral taxa and symbionts

Woppaburra Coral Project science contributes to six other scientific collaborations, greatly increasing its value outside the project.

Woppaburra Coral Project Science publications as of June 2025

Randall J Carly, Giuliano Christine, Page A Cathie (2021). No bundles beyond this point: the coral sterile zone Bulletin of Marine Science. 1;97(1):75-6.;
McLeod M Ian, Hein Y Margaux, Babcock Russ, Bay K Line, Bourne G David, Cook Nathan, Doropoulos Christopher, Gibbs Mark, Harrison Peter, Lockie Stewart, Van Oppen JH Madeline , Mattocks Neil, Page A Cathie, Randall J Carly, Smith Adam, Smith A Hillary, Suggett J David, Taylor Bruce, Vella J Karen, Wachenfeld David & Boström‑Einarsson Lisa (2022) Coral restoration and adaptation in Australia: the first five years. PLoS ONE 17:e0273325.
Page A Cathie, Giuliano Christine, Bay K Line & Randall J Carly (2023) High survival following bleaching underscores the resilience of a frequently disturbed region of the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs 41:123–135.
Bay K Line, Gilmour James, Muir Bob, Hardisty E Paul (2023) Management approaches to conserve Australia’s marine ecosystem under climate change. Science 381:631–636
Page A Cathie, Giuliano Christine, Meehan Kelley, Fisher Rebecca, Motti A Cherie, Negri P Andrew & Randall J Carly (2023) Varied effects of Lobophora chemistry on settlement of larvae from five coral genera. Marine Biology 170:55.
Smith A Hillary, Fulton E Stella, McLeod M Ian, Page A Cathie & Bourne G David (2023) Sea‑weeding: manual removal of macroalgae facilitates rapid coral recovery. Journal of Applied Ecology 60:2459–2471.
Briggs D Nico, Page A Cathie, Giuliano Christine, Alessi Cinzia, Hoogenboom Mia, Bay K Line, Randall J Carly (2024) Dissecting coral recovery: bleaching reduces reproductive output in Acropora millepora
Randall J Carly, Giuliano Christine, Stephenson Briony, Whitman N Taylor, Page A Cathie, Treml A Eric, Logan Murray, Negri P Andrew (2024) Larval precompetency and settlement behaviour in 25 Indo-Pacific coral species Communications Biology 7, 142
Page A Cathie, Giuliano Christine, Randall J Carly. (2024) Benthic communities influence coral seeding success at fine spatial scales Restoration Ecology 32:7 e14212
Heyward Andrew, Giuliano Christine, Page A Cathie, and Randall J Carly (2024). “Rock and Roll: Experiments on Substrate Movement and Coral Settlement.” Coral Reefs 43 (August):1417–29.
Daly Johnathan, Van Issum Harry Cummins Meaghan, Evans-Illidge Elizabeth, Boyd Suzanna,Cveticanin Lucinda , Dundas-Hargraves Kirsty, Hobbs J Rebecca, Randall J Carly, and O’Brien K Justine (2024) “Cross-Cultural Approach to Biobanking of Living Coral Cells on Woppaburra Sea Country in the Southern Inshore Great Barrier Reef.” Australasian Journal of Environmental Management (TJEM) 32 (1): 6–21.
Fulton E Stella, Hines Tehya , Page A Cathie, McLeod M Ian, Whinney James, Heron F Scott, Bourne G David, and Smith A Hillary. 2024. Inshore Coral Reef Sediment and Turf Dynamics Unaffected by Canopy-Forming Macroalgae. Marine Pollution Bulletin 208 (November):117037.
Randall J Carly, Chamberland F Valérie, Giuliano Christine, Page A Cathie, Allen Katie, Briggs Nico, Cornish Rhys, Bickel Aric, and Severati Andrea. (2025) A Comparison of in Situ and On-Vessel Larval Rearing for Coral Seeding. Restoration Ecology 33 (4): e70001.
Smith A Hillary, Dallmeyer-Drennen Genevieve, Bourne G David, Egan Suhelen, and Page A Cathie, (2025) Sea-Weeding Enhances Early Coral Survival on Seeding Devices, but Benefits of Seeding Diminish after One Year. Journal of Environmental Management 383 (May):125322.

Seeding science steps out of the lab and onto sea Country

In 2022, AIMS undertook its largest single science and engagement field event to date through the Woppaburra Coral Project.

Involving more than 80 people on vessels and Konomie (North Keppel) Island across different groups and organisations, the event:

advanced our understanding of coral seeding and coral aquaculture techniques, and
built skills and knowledge through hands-on experiences of coral spawning and seeding methods for Woppaburra Traditional custodians.

On Country spawning in 2022

Weaving a better future for coral reefs and culture

Woppaburra are the Traditional Custodians of the Keppel Islands and the surrounding sea Country. Their descendants have actively maintained cultural connections and responsibilities to this land and sea Country despite their forced removal in 1902.

The Woppaburra Coral Project brought Traditional Custodians and scientists together for a better future for reefs and culture.

It is an exemplar of how western scientists can work together with Traditional Custodians, being featured in the 2023 Closing of the Gap report, conference plenary talks and scientific literature.

Image of people on a beach. two people, one indigenous and one non indigenous, talking and smiling. A quote says I feel like when we’re putting together science and traditional ways, we’re kind of merging them into one, it’s almost like this beautiful symphony. It’s incredible that AIMS has been able to work with us, to be that first place that says, “hey, we’re actually doing this and it’s making for great outcomes.”

Three workshops with AIMS scientists and Woppaburra Traditional Custodians were held on Country. These provided a respectful space for cultural and scientific knowledge exchanges through two-way sharing.

Working together on the Woppaburra Coral Project has led to:

important cultural connections, supporting 99 Woppaburra descendants to be on Country, with 28 descendants arriving on Konomie for the first time.
deepened relationships between the Woppaburra TUMRA (Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement) Steering Committee and AIMS
the establishment of a biobanking cultural safety protocol with Taronga Foundation, supported by the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program
leadership of FPIC (Free Prior and Informed Consent) for marine science in Australia.

The Woppaburra Coral Project was the first research project to implement AIMS’ Indigenous Partnership Plan, achieving genuine marine science partnerships with Traditional Owners. It has paved the way for other Indigenous partnerships across the Institute.

Opening doors through training and education

The Woppaburra Coral Project proudly supported the training of the next generation of aquaculture restoration practitioners and scientists.

Two Indigenous trainees received formal qualifications through the Project, working with the scientists and Traditional Custodians to learn and share knowledge about aquaculture techniques and their Sea Country.

The training formed part of AIMS’ inaugural aquaculture trainee program, an important element of AIMS’ Indigenous Partnerships Plan. Four postgraduate science students contributed to the Project, with their research providing key information to both the project and restoration science.

two people standing over large tubs with corals, one is looking at the camera, and there is clear water in the background

Meet Jamiga-Marie: Woppaburra woman training for a future in aquaculture

30 March 2023

AIMS aquaculture trainee and Woppaburra woman Jamiga-Marie Cummins returned to sea Country for coral spawning as part of the Woppaburra Coral Project.

4 people stand smiling at the camera in front of promotional banners. 3 of the people are holding certificates

Graduation success for AIMS Indigenous aquaculture trainees

12 May 2023

Four Indigenous aquaculture trainees have successfully completed an inaugural two-year training course and are now expanding their skills with work placements at AIMS’ Townsville headquarters.

AIMS scientists inspired the next generation of scientist during the Project, speaking to more than 960 school students during field research at the Konomie Environmental Education Centre.

Collaborations beyond the project

The Woppaburra Coral Project involved partners and participants from national and international organisations. Local businesses in the Yepoon and Keppel Island region provided key services to the Project and team.

Project and science partners include: