Coral reefs, being one of the richest, most diverse, and productive ecosystems on earth, are experiencing drastic declines and increasing mass bleaching events, where 60% of the total coral cover is estimated to be lost by 2030, urging for the development of coral restoration programs. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference of both coral growth and health between Acropora muricata coral fragments raised within ocean-based nurseries (in-situ) compared to the land-based nurseries (ex-situ), with the hope to identify any limiting factors, and to investigate the growth rates within landbased nurseries between normal coral fragmentation and micro-fragmentation. The results presented a higher growth rate within our ocean-based nursery, where our landbased nursery fragments still showed acceptable growth rates yet needing improvement. The fragmentation results showed that A. muricata coral fragments grew approximately 6 times greater than the micro-fragments. Whilst for coral health, the results showed no significant difference between nurseries. Land-based nurseries could prove to be a useful tool for the much-needed advancements in coral restoration, only if the correct management and conditions are maintained. With the scope to combat the changing environment further research would be needed, as both in-situ and ex-situ methods demonstrate their own advantages and disadvantages.
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