Image: The sounds of a healthy coral reef could help attract marine life to degraded habitats. Photo: © Jane Morgan.
The sounds of a thriving coral reef could hold the key to helping damaged reefs recover, according to new research published today.
Scientists from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego have discovered that playing recordings of healthy reefs underwater can encourage both coral larvae and young fish to settle in degraded habitats.
The researchers conducted experiments in Kāneʻohe Bay, Hawaii, using underwater speakers to broadcast the natural sounds of a healthy reef, including fish calls and the distinctive snapping of shrimp.
They found that coral settlement was highest on artificial reef structures closest to the speakers, particularly when the structures were coated with a specially developed material containing beneficial bacteria.
In a related study, underwater cameras recorded between four and fourteen times more fish larvae at sites where reef sounds were played compared with silent control sites.
The findings suggest that sound could become another useful tool in coral reef restoration, helping to attract the next generation of marine life to areas where reefs have been damaged.
Source: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego / Communications Biology, 8 October 2026.
Jane MorganJane’s lifelong love for the ocean began in childhood and has shaped the course of her life and career. After learning to dive in 1991, she spent much of the '90s teaching scuba and working on marine conservation projects in the Philippines and Borneo. A chance encounter with a film camera on a dive trip to Egypt in 2001 ignited a passion for underwater photography, inspiring her to leave the corporate world and pursue a full-time career in dive travel and photojournalism.
Since then, her work has been published in a wide range of national and international magazines, books, and newspapers. She has filmed underwater for the BBC, judged major photography competitions, and received numerous accolades—including the prestigious Plongeur d'Or at the Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous-Marine. In 2009, Jane became a freelance photojournalist, and in 2011 completed a BA (Hons) in Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University, where she now works as a Dive Safety Officer.
Based in Cornwall, Jane dives locally year-round and is passionate about showcasing the rich marine life found in UK waters. As a proud ambassador for Dynamic Nord and Fathoms Free, she actively supports marine conservation initiatives and advocates for ocean protection through her storytelling.
In her newest role with Scubaverse, Jane combines her love of travel, diving, and storytelling—sharing experiences from around the world to inspire others to explore, protect, and connect with the underwater world.
