BleachWatch: An Early Warning Network for Coral Bleaching and Disease

Receive training on identifying coral bleaching and disease, recording data, and reporting information to Florida DEP for marine incident response.

Benefits of Becoming a BleachWatch Observer  

✔️ Become an expert at identifying the different types of corals and be the talk of the dive boat

✔️ Feel accomplished knowing the difference between bleached or diseased coral

✔️ Gain a deeper understanding of corals and reef systems to see more while you dive

✔️ Participate in community science, become and environmental steward, and tap into a new skill set

✔️ Join the already 900+ existing BleachWatch Observers and receive a certificate for your dedication

Become a BleachWatch Observer

Step 1. Join the next classroom or in-water training by filling out the form

Step 2. A BleachWatch Instructor will reach out to you with upcoming BleachWatch trainings

Step 3. Get out there and start observing Florida’s Coral Reef!

Environmental Monitoring

Weather conditions such as calm winds and clear sunny days can lead to an increase in sea temperatures and are generally associated with severe and/or extensive coral bleaching events. Monitoring seasonal climate predictions and local weather forecasts helps identify periods of light winds and decreased cloud cover, which can lead to heightened coral stress. 

 NOAA's Coral Reef Watch program (CRW) plays a pivotal role in predicting and monitoring sea surface temperatures remotely. Leveraging near real-time satellite products and modeled Outlook predictions, NOAA CRW has successfully tracked and predicted major coral bleaching events globally since 1997.

NOAA CRW products support conservation, restoration, and resilience-based research and management projects that aim to protect and/or restore coral reefs in a rapidly warming world. In times of low or no heat stress, CRW products can aid in identifying locations to implement conservation and restoration initiatives. Additionally, NOAA CRW’s work informs many national and international assessments of coral reef conditions.

 In southeast Florida, the SEAFAN BleachWatch program utilizes NOAA CRW products, including CRW's satellite-based Regional Virtual Station for Southeast Florida and single-pixel Virtual Stations for Florida, to: predict and monitor changes in localized thermal stress, prepare and prioritize resources for coral bleaching events that impact reef health and function; communicate, quickly and broadly to local stakeholders; implement timely, protective responses and adaptation actions and assess when specific reefs are vulnerable or resilient increasing thermal stress. 

Current Condition Reports

Reports are generated throughout the summer season when conditions are more conducive to coral bleaching. These reports provide an overview of coral conditions throughout southeast Florida and include a summary of environmental monitoring and field reports by the BleachWatch Observer Network. Reports will be posted here when available.

Additional Resources

Florida Sea Grant 

Coral Health 

Atlantic Gulf and Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA)

Coral Disease Outbreak 

Dry Tortugas National Park - Coral Disease

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

            Coral Reef Conservation Program

            Coral Reef Monitoring Program

Florida Coral Reef Watch

            Coral Bleaching

            Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease

Thank You for Being Part of the Coral Conservation Community - We couldn’t do it without you!

Ways to Join the Coral Conservation Cause!