There was standing-room only for Session #82: Intervening to improve reef resilience at small, medium and large scales, at the 16th International Coral Reef Symposium in Auckland in July 2026. Led by RRRC, the session brought together more than 50 presenters from around the world to explore interventions at different scales – from targeted actions at individual reefs and sites through to approaches that can support resilience across reef systems. RRRC’s Dr Suzanne Long was Lead Chair, alongside co-Chairs Dr Sheriden Morris (RRRC) and Dr Roger Beeden (Reef Authority). Here’s what we learned.

As a “super” El Niño bears down on the Pacific and Australia’s east coast, increasing sea temperatures and coral bleaching risk, it is clear we do not yet understand enough about how best to manage for reef resilience. However, across the session, a framework emerged for how targeted interventions – many of which are still in development – could support the ecological and evolutionary processes that enable reefs to adapt, withstand periods of stress, and recover in a warming climate.

Importantly, there is no single scale at which these challenges can be addressed. Effective reef resilience will require interventions at small, medium, and large scales, with different approaches working together to support reef survival, recovery, and adaptation.

Across these scales, four key aspects emerged.

1. Protect adult corals

Maintaining the survival and condition of adult corals is fundamental to reef resilience. Adult colonies not only contribute directly to reef structure and ecosystem function, but also provide the genetic diversity needed for adaptation and the reproductive capacity that enables recovery following disturbances.

Management actions that reduce local stressors, including high water temperatures, improve water quality, and mitigate cumulative impacts can help preserve this critical biological capital.

Presenters discussed field trials of translocation, cooling, mixing, and shading during bleaching events; cost-effective control of coral predators such as crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS); and active restoration on land to improve water quality.

2. Strengthen connectivity and recruitment

Understanding and enhancing connectivity and larval recruitment is essential for supporting long-term reef replenishment.

Recent advances in larval dispersal modelling, genetic approaches, and field-based seeding interventions are providing new insights into the sources, sinks, and pathways that shape reef recovery potential across the Great Barrier Reef.

Presenters also shared new, more cost-effective, open-access tools for understanding hydrodynamics and connectivity in coral reef ecosystems.

3. Build stewardship and intervention capacity

Reef resilience also depends on our capacity for stewardship and active intervention. This includes community-led monitoring, Traditional Owner leadership, targeted protection of high-value sites, and scalable restoration and adaptation technologies.

Adaptive governance and strong partnerships are increasingly central to building this capacity. Presenters described a variety of emergency response plans and sustainable models involving Traditional Owners and local community groups working in partnership.

“I thought I was restoring corals,” said Dr Marylaura Sandoval from Raising Coral Costa Rica, reflecting on a decade of work, “but actually I was restoring stewardship.”

4. Connect research directly to management

Finally, targeted research that directly informs management decisions is crucial as climate risks accelerate.

Research–management co-design, rapid applied trials, and clear pathways from evidence to decision-making are needed to ensure emerging knowledge translates quickly into on-ground action.

Australia’s National Environmental Science Program provides a strong real-world example of this approach, bringing researchers and research users together to identify priorities, co-design applied research, and translate new knowledge into practical management outcomes.