Maui Nui Marine Resource Council hosts free in-person talk ‘Sonic Youth: Calling baby coral home’ on July 10 | Maui Now
The Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is set to enlighten the local community with a riveting presentation as part of its ongoing “Know Your Ocean Speaker Series.” This edition features the insightful Nadège Aoki, who will step onto the stage on July 10 at 6 p.m., at the Sphere Theater located within the engaging confines of the Maui Ocean Center.
Aoki’s discussion, titled “Sonic Youth: Calling baby coral home,” dives deep into her pioneering research on how sounds from healthy reefs can boost the settlement rates of coral larvae on degraded reefs. This natural process, essential for the regeneration and growth of coral ecosystems, involves the larvae attaching themselves to the reef. Aoki’s exploration into the auditory cues in the marine environment opens up new pathways for potentially enhancing coral settlement on deteriorating reefs, showcasing a blend of biology and technology.
Her studies not only span areas in the Caribbean but extend to Maui, where she collaborates with several local entities. These partnerships include esteemed organizations such as the Maui Ocean Center, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources, and The Nature Conservancy. Together, they are examining how varying auditory treatments affect different Hawaiian coral species. The collaboration represents a converging point for marine biologists, environmentalists, and local stakeholders aiming to halt the decline of coral reefs.
Aoki is no stranger to the academic and scientific community. She is in the closing stages of her Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography, a joint program between the prestigious Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With a solid foundational degree in biology from Cornell University, her academic journey has been diverse. Aoki has previously collaborated with the National Science Foundation and explored the depths of the sea, studying deep-sea polychaete worms at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Her dissertation zeroes in on the importance of underwater soundscapes in coral reef ecosystems and seeks innovative ways to use sound recordings for the benefit of reef health monitoring.
For those interested in attending this illuminating session, be advised that seating is limited. However, the council is offering admission free of charge, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to partake in this significant conversation. This event promises to be not just an educational experience but a doorway to understanding the pivotal role that sound plays in the health and restoration of our ocean’s coral reefs.
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