- DISCOVERY Vessel Knot Golfing and SeaKeepers' Vessel DISCOVERY II
Kanopi Coral Shading Pilot Field Test
- April 20, 2026
- Miami, Florida
Project Overview
The Kanopi Coral Shading Pilot, developed by a team of University of Miami, College of Engineering PhD candidates, is an innovative response to the increasing frequency and severity of coral bleaching events. Inspired by natural reef structures, Kanopi is a modular shading device designed to temporarily reduce light stress on corals during periods of elevated irradiance.
Following successful controlled testing in a scientific diving pool, the team progressed to open water trials to evaluate the device’s performance in a real-world reef environment. These initial field tests focused on assessing the deployability, stability, and adaptability of multiple module sizes, while refining handling procedures for future use by restoration practitioners and reef managers.
Application
The successful field testing of the Kanopi system represents an important step toward developing practical tools to mitigate the impacts of coral bleaching. By temporarily reducing light stress during peak thermal and irradiance conditions, Kanopi has the potential to support coral survival during critical periods, effectively buying time for reefs while broader restoration and conservation efforts continue.
Insights gained from this beta testing phase will guide improvements in both design and deployment protocols, ensuring the system is accessible and effective for those working directly in reef restoration. As development progresses, Kanopi may become a valuable addition to the suite of tools available to reef managers, particularly in regions experiencing increasing environmental stress.
Expedition Summary
On April 20, 2026, The International SeaKeepers Society supported the first open water field testing of the Kanopi Coral Shading Pilot using DISCOVERY vessel Knot Golfing and SeaKeepers’ vessel DISCOVERY II as platforms for this work.
During this initial deployment, the research team successfully tested five Kanopi modules of varying sizes. The team was able to efficiently deploy and retrieve each unit, allowing for valuable real-time assessment of handling procedures, modular configuration, and overall system performance in a dynamic marine environment.
This outing marked a critical milestone in transitioning Kanopi from controlled testing to practical application, providing key insights that will inform future deployments and continued refinement of the system.
Location
Rainbow Reef, off Key Biscayne, Florida
Duration of Project
This project began in 2024 when four University of Miami, College of Engineering PhD candidates won a Design Thinking Challenge in response to the 2023 global coral bleaching event and has been ongoing since. This outing marked the first open water deployment to test the equipment with local practitioners.
Leadership
Research Team
Megan Barry- Systems Blue Studio
Shane Wever- Reef Renewal
Drew Rich- University of Miami
Joseph Unsworth- University of Miami
Franco LaTona- University of Miami
Caroline Tran- University of Miami
Joshua Prabahar- University of Miami
Montale Tuen- University of Miami
Kylee Rux- University of Miami
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