Record El Niño Is Devastating Coral Reefs; Scientists Are Testing Sound and Probiotics as Remedies

During peak spawning season in the Caribbean, researchers are playing recordings of healthy reef sounds — snapping prawns, fish — through underwater speakers to guide coral larvae toward damaged sites, while also testing probiotics as potential interventions. The measures come as the current El Niño, described as set to be the largest on record by a significant margin, drives high temperatures and stress that are killing coral reefs.