Coral Bleaching Observations

The Ocean Agency - Fluorescing | Ocean Image Bank
Global Tools
The Caribbean & Americas
Indian Ocean
The Pacific & Australia

Coral bleaching observations are critical to predict, understand, and deploy responses, for local, regional or global bleaching events. Fortunately, there are multiple organisations and initiatives working on the front-line to serve all coral reef ecosystem managers; domestic and foreign Governments; non-governmental and intergovernmental organisations; in-water coral reef monitoring networks; the private sector; numerous scientific researchers at universities and research organisations; educators; students; and the public.

Coral bleaching observations can range from in-water monitoring to arial surveys and ecosystem climate modelling to provide a suite of data. Below is a range of resources and initiatives to support coral bleaching observations. Should you know of any additional observation resources that are relevant, please send them to Thomas Dallison at the ICRI Secretariat.

The available observation tools have been grouped by region enabling a quick identification fo the most suitable tools for your use. Please use the ‘quick jump’ links above to access each section.

Global Tools

NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch

To address a defined need of coral reef managers around the world, NOAA established the Coral Reef Watch (CRW) program in 2000. For more than 20 years, NOAA CRW has utilized remote sensing, modeled and in-situ data to predict, observe, and alert users globally to threats to the coral reef environment. The near real-time satellite products and modeled Outlooks that comprise CRW’s global early-warning system of coral reef environmental changes have successfully and accurately predicted and monitored all major mass coral bleaching events observed globally since 1997, and have provided other critical information to users, especially during periods of severe ocean heat stress.

Access the CRW

CoralWatch Interactive Data Map

The new CoralWatch interactive data map provides a comprehensive view of coral health worldwide. Considering the potential higher than average ocean temperatures that 2023/24 may present due to being an El Niño year, there is an increased risk of coral bleaching this year, which have already occurred in the Caribbean. In response, CoralWatch has launched this map to provide better feedback on locations and timing of bleaching events. This tool is critical for conservation, education and management purposes. The CoralWatch also calls for bleaching data which can be submitted through the link below.

Access the Map & Submit your Data

PADI Aware Foundation Adopt the Blue Network

PADI’s global network of 6,600 dive centers and resorts and more than 128,000 professional members worldwide will provide the backbone for Adopt The Blue. They will provide unprecedented scale and unmatched potential for participants to take direct action that will drive measurable conservation impact. As part of this initiative, a Global Action Map is available that can be filtered to showcase global bleaching reports.

Access the Global Action Map

The Caribbean, Americas & Atlantic Region

AGGRA: Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) – Caribbean

Map of coral bleaching recorded throughout the Caribbean– The Coral Bleaching Tracking Map is an interactive map that shows where Coral bleaching has been observed in the Caribbean. Sightings are submitted through the Online Coral Health Watch Survey Form which then appears on the map. This Caribbean Coral Bleaching Map shows site information, presence/absence of coral bleaching and available photos. We have further developed the map to include additional data in the pop up tables (e.g., pale, partly bleached, fully bleached corals, Bleaching severity Index).

AGGRA requests the reporting of coral bleaching in the Caribbean to track and record bleaching. Data can be submitted at the site-level (one form entry per site) with potential causes of bleaching (e.g., high sea surface temperatures, etc) also encouraged. Data can be submitted in two forms; basic, detailed:

  • BASIC: This simple survey form allows you to enter presence/absence data on corals affected by SCTLD and bleaching by coral species and estimates of corals affected, photos and site information. You can identify survey method used such as rover diver, bar drop, general observation etc.
  • DETAILED: This detailed survey form allows you to input more detailed quantitative data on the number of coral colonies affected by stony coral tissue loss disease and/or coral bleaching (fully bleached, partly bleached, pale), recent coral mortality, photos and site information. You can identify the method used such as rover diver, bar drop, etc. A video, ‘The AGGRA CORAL HEALTH WATCH’ has been created to guide this process – watch here.

In 2024, the French Coral Reef Initiative (IFRECOR) released its “Bleaching in the French West Indies 2023: Assessment of monitoring and initial results” report, which can be downloaded here [FR] and further reviewed here [FR].

View the Coral Bleaching Tracking maps & submit your data
NOTICE d’utilisation du formulaire BASIQUE AGRRA sur les observations de blanchissement des coraux

Southeast Florida Action Network (SEAFAN) BleachWatch

An early warning network for coral bleaching in Southeast Florida. SEAFAN BleachWatch helps detect and monitor coral bleaching events in Southeast Florida and improve scientific understanding by: Tracking weather conditions and sea surface temperatures for conditions favourable for coral bleaching, collecting field observations on the condition of the reef from trained observers, and summarising data and producing reports on the current conditions in the region.

Access BleachWatch

Mote Marine Laboratory/Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Coral Bleaching Early Warning Network – Florida Keys BleachWatch Program: Current Conditions Reports

Due to Florida reefs and portions of the Caribbean reefs experiencing an outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease (potentially caused by bacteria), BleachWatch observers are also encouraged to also collect data on disease and no disease at their sites.  These observations will help researchers try to understand the range, progression, and species affected.  Please visit The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for more information.

Information from NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch (CRW) remote sensing and Integrated Coral Observing Network (ICON) in-situ environmental monitoring analysis are combined with “BleachWatch” volunteer observations in the field to provide a comprehensive overview of “current conditions” throughout the FKNMS. These reports will be generated according to the current conditions and the potential risk for coral bleaching.

Read the Condition Reports

Caribbean Regional Climate Center: Caribbean Coral Reef Watch Climate Bulletins

The Caribbean Regional Climate Centre released regular climate bulletins for coral bleaching in the region using NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch data.

Read the bulletins

Indian Ocean Region

Western Indian Ocean Coral Bleaching Observations 2009-2024

CORDIO East Africa has developed a Western Indian Ocean Bleaching Observation Dashboard to record and report bleaching events throughout the region. The data presented include number of reports by country, regional percentage of bleaching by year, mortality observations, and the latest WIO Bleaching Alert Report. In CORDIO’s efforts to better understand the impacts of coral bleaching events in the region, they are seeking consistent, basic-level coral bleaching data from partners across the region. To contribute to this initiative, data can be submitted via an online form with guidance on how to collect and submit the data.

Further information is provided in the form and it is important to also submit data where no bleaching is occurring. The submitted data are then used to develop the ‘WIO Bleaching Alert Reports’.

Access the Observation Dashboard
Submit your Bleaching Data
Read the latest Bleaching Reports for the WIO

The Pacific & Australia

Australia

Reef Health Updates (The Reef Authority)

As the lead managers of the Great Barrier Reef, the Reef Authority keeps an eye on the Reef year-round — with efforts stepped up over summer, a typically high-risk period from extreme weather. Over summer the Reef Authority releases weekly updates on how the Reef is faring with a focus on sea surface temperatures, rainfall and floods, cyclones, crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, and coral disease. These updates are based on forecasts, water temperature heat mapping, in-water surveys, citizen science and aerial surveys.

Latest Update from the Great Barrier Reef

Australia

The Coral Bleaching App for Western Australia’s Reefs

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) encourages the reporting of coral bleaching observations on Western Australia’s (WA) and Northern Territory reefs by the wider community, including traditional owners, regional managers, tourist operators and anyone who visits WA’s coral reefs. AIMS has a free mobile app for recording bleaching and by using this app, observations can be submitted on the amount of bleaching observed, additional habitat information and photographs. Alternatively, a bleaching observation data sheet has been created which can be printed out for completion by hand.

North Western Australia: The Western Australian Coral Bleaching Group 

The Western Australian Coral Bleaching Group meet monthly throughout the spring and summer months to discuss coral bleaching risks to Western Australian reefs. These predictions help guide monitoring and other research efforts in response to bleaching events.

The Group is a collaboration between key government and science agencies in WA, including: AIMS, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), CSIRO, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and Parks Australia.

The WA Coral Bleaching Group newsletter summarises forecasts and satellite sea surface temperature (SST) monitoring information provided by BoM, Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) and NOAA and provides updates on recent or upcoming reef surveys.

Download the Bleaching Observation app and Data Sheet
subscribe to the WA Coral Bleaching Group newsletter.
Back to the Bleaching Hub