Direct out planting/STABILIZATION 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conducted comparable studies for in situ coral propagation and found that, if the situation was favorable, the direct outplanting of broken coral fragments of certain coral species responded with a higher efficacy to direct outplanting, rather than being moved to an in situ coral nursery.  The findings showed a higher success rate of survivability if the "Fragment of Opportunity" could be stabilized in the area from which it came.
The Stabilization coral fragnements can use different types of mechanisms, such as the use of epoxy paste or cement combined with silica, in conjunction with mechanical wedges (sometimes items at hand) were the most likely to stabilize the fragment of opportunity long enough for the coral to attach and begin growing from its new position. NOAA estimated an 80% success rate when using this particular method.

Data logging and photography

Any corals that are deemed to be a candidate for Direct outplanting must first be photographed and then checked to see if it has made a successful adhesion to the substrate. If the Fragment of Opportunity is adhered to the bottom where it lies, it is left as is. If the Fragment is loose and sliding around, it will probably succumb to a slow death. Either epoxy or high silica cement is used to bond the Fragment of Opportunity as close as possible to the mother colony from which it originated. Photos of the effort are then taken and, along with positioning data, logged at CORE's database. A visit back to the site is made in 1 to 2 weeks to record the rate of success.

coral species that lend themselves to this style of restoration.

There are 2 species of coral that lend themselves favorably to this particular process.  Those species are Acropora palmata (Elkhorn coral) and Acropora cervicornis (Staghorn coral). Both of these species are threatened and are on the list of endangered corals.

Examples of SUCCESSFUL, Direct Outplanting Acropora palmata (Elkhorn coral)