Close
Search
Menu Menu

Camera manufacturer Canon donates equipment to coral reef lab

Credit: PBS
By
London, UK
0 energy + Add Energy
What is energy?
Want to show your appreciation? Give an article “Energy” and it will help us know what you like.
0 comments
0 comments

Leveraging the mission to save coral reef species, Canon has donated high-end image capturing equipment to London-based Coral Spawning Lab.

Though virtually all life on Earth is under threat from climate change, the most fragile ecosystems by far are coral reefs.

Hoping to ensure their future survival, laboratories around the world are growing and breeding a diverse range of heat-resistant corals inside environmentally controlled tanks.

In these labs, scientists closely monitor and photograph the growing corals to assess their health. If deemed healthy and strong, the corals can be relocated to natural reef hotspots where they can work to support the marine life around them.

One lab focused on this task is located in London, England. Named Coral Spawning Lab, its scientists are primarily focused on observing the magnificent spawning event that all coral species undergo once per year.

In complete synchronicity, global corals release sperm and eggs into their surrounding waters. The sperm and eggs drift towards each other and meet to produce coral larvae.

Of course, these happenings are hardly visible to the naked eye. Witnessing and documenting them requires start-of-the-art imaging equipment, which doesn’t come without a steep price tag.

This is why Canon, one of the world’s largest camera producers, has agreed to provide Coral Spawning Lab with specialized imaging equipment. It hopes to help the researchers build a comprehensive photographic database of coral lifespans.

The work of Coral Spawning Lab

Inside the London-based lab, researchers are conducting a kind of coral IVF procedure to study and genetically breed robust coral species. To do this, they capture the released eggs and sperm before natural insemination occurs.

Making use of Canon’s top-of-the-line imaging equipment, the lab team will monitor and photograph all elements of the coral’s life cycle – including the moment egg and sperm meet.

This will provide fresh data on coral’s embryological stages, mortality rates, and other key markers of their growth.

Once combined, the images will offer a high quality visual representation of coral’s everyday lives, bringing us closer to optimising their health and restoring coral reefs threatened by climate change.

All new information discovered by The Coral Spawning Lab will be published to an open source, allowing it to be viewed by other scientists and communities living near to coral reefs. In tropical regions, where reefs are naturally present, locals will find the information useful to ensuring various species survive in the future.

Announcing the partnership, Canon wrote, ‘We are committed to working together to create a more sustainable world for the people and wildlife on the planet.

‘Our partnership with the Coral Spawning Lab is an excellent opportunity to help protect global biodiversity and can be viewed as one of our ‘nature positive’ initiatives taking place across Canon Group.’

It’s great to see major companies partnering with nature-based initiatives to ensure that biodiversity is protected and able to thrive. We can’t wait to see what other organisations Canon decides to help with its technology.

Senior Writer & Media Coordinator London, UK

I’m Jessica (She/Her). Originally from Bermuda, I moved to London to get a Master’s degree in Media & Communications and now write for Thred to spread the word about positive social change, specifically ocean health and marine conservation. You can also find me dipping my toes into other subjects like pop culture, health, wellness, style, and beauty.  Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

Popular

Keep up with thred by signing up to our planet-positive newsletter!

More from thred.

Siemens using AI to revolutionise green water management
Credit: Siemens
Companies

Siemens using AI to revolutionise green water management

Non-revenue water poses a major challenge for water utilities globally, especially as sustainability becomes a top priority. Siemens has developed AI-driven solutions, paving the way for green water management. In recent decades, sustainability has become a key driver in the climate fight. Truth be told, economic growth relies on sustainable practices in various industries, including water management. Consequently, non-revenue water (NRW), which is water that is produced but does not reach...

By Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia
Opinion – we need to take self-care from the screen to the streets
Credit: Pexels
People

Opinion – we need to take self-care from the screen to the streets

Though scrolling on social media gives us the short-term dopamine hits we crave, ceaseless overexposure to tragedy means that many of us have developed a guilt complex. To combat this, we’re increasingly switching off in the name of self-care, but what if we redirected that to bringing about tangible change and helping others the way we’re helping ourselves? Without doubt, social media is having detrimental impact on our mental...

By Manchester, England
Paralympians were finally allowed Olympic ring tattoos
Credit: AFP
People

Paralympians were finally allowed Olympic ring tattoos

The IOC had previously placed a ban on the symbol in favour of the Paralympic Agitos logo.  For the last few decades, one rite of passage has continued to unite the world’s best athletes, and it isn’t medals. The Olympic rings tattoo has become a tell-tale sign of a top-tier sportsperson, signifying their place at the prestigious games and etching it permanently into their professional journey. Alongside individuals like Tom Daley and...

By Brighton, UK
Accessibility