Underwater umbrellas shield Caribbean corals from bleaching

Researchers at Nova Southeastern University tested underwater umbrellas over corals in the Florida Keys, cutting light exposure by 60%. Shaded brain coral colonies bleached less and some regained color, according to a study in Frontiers in Marine Science.

• Umbrellas made of pipes and nylon cloth float 30 cm above corals
• Shading reduced corals' light exposure by 60%
• Summer 2024 brought the second-highest heat stress on record at Newfound Harbor
• None of the 40 brain coral colonies died