Presentation: Spawning and rearing ‘Scolys’ (Homophyllia australis) and other LPS coral in aquariums. Potential for sustainable coral production?

Bio: Jamie Craggs is the co-founder of Coral Spawning Lab and Principle Aquarium Curator at the Horniman Museum and Gardens in London.

Dr Craggs’ main research interest is the reproductive biology of reef-building corals and for the past decade he has been developing techniques to predictably induce broadcast coral spawning events in aquariums. To date he has spawned 30 species and through in-vitro fertilization has produced multiple genetically diverse coral in captivity. For this work, and contributions to the hobby, he received the 2018 MASNA award.  Much of his latest research focuses on spawning LPS coral and the development of pipeline processes to maximise coral production from these reproductive events to support research, conservation and aquaculture.

Having previously worked as an underwater cameraman in Borneo he combines imaging techniques into his research as much as possible.

Finally, being a little coral obsessed, two years ago he brought his work home and installed a home coral spawning lab in the family kitchen to teach his two boys about this fascinating world of coral reproductive biology.