By Daniel Veras | Marine Organisms Coordinator
The Center of Marine Innovation (CIM) has reached an exciting new achievement: we have successfully established cultures of a native strain of Rhodomonas, a microscopic marine microalga isolated from local coral reef waters.
Although invisible to the naked eye, this tiny microalga plays an essential role in the ocean food web. It is rich in nutrients and beneficial fatty acids that help young marine animals grow and thrive. Because of its exceptional nutritional value, Rhodomonas is considered one of the highest-quality live feeds used in marine aquaculture worldwide.
One of its most striking features is its vibrant red color. As the algae multiply, cultures change from light pink to deep ruby red due to a natural pigment called phycoerythrin, which helps capture sunlight for photosynthesis and contributes to their nutritional value.
Until now, CIM has relied on other species of microalgae and commercially available nutritional supplements to support our aquaculture program. By producing Rhodomonas in our own laboratory, we can provide higher-quality nutrition while reducing our dependence on costly imported products, making our operations more sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective. Our team is now refining methods for growing healthy, reliable cultures. These cultures will support the rearing of marine organisms—including sea urchins and reef fishes—for coral reef restoration projects.
One of the most important applications of Rhodomonas will be breeding Diadema sea urchins in captivity. Diadema are a keystone and species on Caribbean coral reefs because they graze on algae that compete with corals for space and sunlight. By keeping fast-growing algae under control, these sea urchins create the conditions that corals need to grow and recover. High-quality Rhodomonas cultures will provide the nutrition needed to rear healthy juvenile sea urchins that can later be introduced to degraded reefs, helping restore the natural balance between corals and algae.
Working with Rhodomonas presents unique challenges because it is a delicate species that requires specialized packaging and temperature-controlled shipping. By successfully establishing a strain collected from our own reefs, CIM now has a local culture naturally adapted to the environmental conditions of the Dominican Republic. This provides a more reliable supply for our research while reducing our dependence on imported cultures.
This achievement strengthens CIM's capacity to advance marine research and aquaculture while developing innovative, locally driven solutions for coral reef restoration. By investing in sustainable technologies and local resources, we are building a stronger foundation for restoring coral reefs, protecting marine biodiversity, and ensuring the long-term health of the Dominican Republic's coastal ecosystems.
By Isabel Correa | Environmental Education Coordinator
By Rebecca Garcia Camps | Marine Operations Coordinator
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