Pilot deployments for large-scale reef restoration interventions

One of the biggest challenges to effective reef restoration is applying interventions at scale, particularly in areas as vast as the Great Barrier Reef. To meet this challenge, the Pilot Deployments Program (PDP) is translating reef interventions from research and development, and trialing how these can be scaled up to a large-scale reality.  

The scientific and technological advances made by teams from the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP) have resulted in innovative approaches to large scale reef restoration. Since 2018, AIMS and our collaborators have been developing a toolbox of interventions to help coral reefs recover from the effects of climate change, and resist warming temperatures caused by climate change.  

The PDP’s primary goal is to make these interventions fully operational, testing and developing them from a ‘proof of concept’ stage to a point where they are ready for large-scale application by developing third-party supply chains and building local capacity on the Great Barrier Reef.

A key step in moving the current science to this restoration reality involves using the power of local people. Building on the lessons from projects like Boats4Corals, the PDP is actively engaging the local community, their skills, vessels, and knowledge to create partnerships with a diverse range of organisations and the community.

 

The program develops new technologies to make it easier and more efficient to restore reefs at larger scales. The team work iteratively through cycles of field deployment, learning, re-design then re-testing to continually enhance different stages.

Stepping up scale - Pilot Deployments Program on the Great Barrier Reef in 2026

This year, we’re continuing large-scale reef restoration trials on reefs off Cairns and Port Douglas in the northern Great Barrier Reef and Yeppoon in the south.

As in previous years, two innovative intervention methods will be the focus of the PDP 2026 operations: 

• Slick Collection and Release: This method uses the natural sexual reproduction of wild corals on the Reef. Genetically diverse coral spawn slicks are collected on the ocean surface, allowed to fertilise and develop into coral larvae, and then delivered to target reefs to accelerate reef recovery. This is done by crews on the water using tools such as larval pools and seedboxes.
• Conservation Aquaculture: This involves collecting wild adult coral colonies to spawn in land-based aquaculture facilities, producing settled juvenile corals. These are then delivered to target reefs on coral seeding devices. 

Many reef operators are joining the PDP again this year, having built valuable skills and experience over the last couple of years with the program. Some tourism operators and Traditional Owner groups are joining for a second or third year for larval release activities and will take on greater responsibilities, with AIMS providing support and oversight.

Industry partners in coral aquaculture and Traditional Owners will also take on greater responsibilities using two ReefSeed units for land-based aquaculture activities in Innisfail and Cairns.