Abstract

Corals of the global ocean are facing a multitude of pressure both natural (e.g., disease) and anthropogenic (e.g., rising water temperatures and ocean acidification). As they often form the base of marine food webs and ecosystems and provide a plethora of other ecosystem services, it is imperative that corals be protected. There has been a resurgence of programs to promote marine ecological restoration, of which coral reef restoration has been a growing priority within the Bahamian Archipelago. Coral gene banks are one of the many projects undertaken to ensure the continuance of coral biodiversity in The Bahamas to safeguard against the loss of many coral species due to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). The first Coral Gene Bank in The Bahamas has been commissioned to ensure the continuance and protection of various species of Bahamian corals which are, highly susceptible to SCTLD. Outlined are the basics of establishing a coral gene bank in The Bahamas, and the procedures to maintain the facility. Details of options for material, planning the layout, potential educational general uses of the facility, and best practices procedures have been discussed in this paper.