Old dominion university, NA25NOSX473C0206-T1-01 resilience-based coral reef restoration and bleaching resistant coral nursery design in american samoa the national oceanic and atmospheric…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded Old Dominion University and Old Dominion University Research Foundation $4.636 million on October 1, 2025, through the FY2024 and FY2025 Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration Grant Competition (CFDA 11.473) to restore coral reef ecosystems in American Samoa.

The award funds active restoration of three back reef areas and creation of an in-water coral nursery designed to conserve coral genetic heterogeneity and generate material for restoration efforts. Specific restoration activities include algal removal, stabilization of coral fragments, and out-planting of stress-tolerant coral strains. Hydrodynamic modeling will create a regional model to understand coral larval dispersal, refugia, and dynamic interactions between coral reef habitats. The project also establishes nursery infrastructure for future green and hybrid shoreline projects and increases stress tolerance of local reefs. Workforce development and training components engage local communities through direct hiring and skills cultivation in reef restoration, contributing to coastal zone management and ocean ecological sector employment.

Old Dominion University's Department of Biological Sciences serves as the administrative recipient with performance occurring in Norfolk, Virginia. The period of performance runs through September 30, 2029. Total dollars obligated are $9.273 million.

Sub-recipients include the University of Hawaii (subaward dated January 6, 2026) and American Samoa Community College (subaward dated April 3, 2026), both of which participate in the restoration and workforce development activities.

Old dominion university, NA25NOSX473C0206-T1-01 resilience-based coral reef restoration and bleaching resistant coral nursery design in american samoa the national oceanic and atmospheric administration is providing $4,636,836 in federal funding to the department of biological sciences, old dominion university and old dominion university research foundation through the FY2024 and FY2025 coastal zone management habitat protection and restoration grant competition. This funding will increase the safety and productivity of coastal communities within coastal counties through habitat restoration planning, engineering and design projects, habitat restoration implementation projects, and land conservation projects. Specifically, funding of the fisheries enhancement, coastal defense, and workforce development in american samoa project will use these funds for successful restoration of coral reef ecosystems in american smoa, specifically through the active restoration of three important back reef areas and creation of an in-water coral nursery. Targeted restoration activities such as algal removal, stabilization of coral fragments, and out planting of stress tolerant coral strains, coupled with hydrodynamic modeling will allow creation of a regional model to understand coral larval dispersal, refugia, and the dynamic interactions between coral reef habitats. This will result in the establishment of a nursery for conserving coral genetic heterogeneity, generating material for restoration efforts, providing infrastructure for future green/hybrid shoreline projects, and increasing the stress tolerance of local reefs. There will also be workforce development and training, engaging local communities in reef restoration through direct hiring and skills cultivation opportunities. This will contribute to more comprehensive coastal zone management and provide skills for future employment in the growing ocean ecological sector. Overall this project is designed to provide multiple benefits to the people of american smoa and the local environment, as well as broader understandings relevant to natural hazard mitigation throughout the pacific region.