Florida’s coral reef — North America’s only barrier reef — is in trouble, and some of its best hope swims in Tampa. The Florida Aquarium’s Coral Conservation and Research Center in Apollo Beach and its lab teams achieved what had never been done: spawning threatened Atlantic pillar coral in human care, raising baby corals that can reseed the wild reef.
The aquarium’s scientists also rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles and run genetic “ark” programs for coral species — work visitors glimpse through the aquarium’s exhibits, behind-the-scenes tours and its “rescue to release” stories at the main Channel District campus.
It’s science with stakes: every spawned coral is a down payment on a living Florida reef.
Come for the sharks and penguins; leave knowing Tampa is helping save an ecosystem.
