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This page will be updated weekly to share information on thermal stress
This page will be updated weekly to share information on thermal stress
and potential coral bleaching along Florida's Coral Reef during 2026.
and potential coral bleaching along Florida's Coral Reef during 2026.
Over the past two decades, coral bleaching has been occurring more intensely and frequently on Florida’s Coral Reef. During summer 2023, extreme ocean temperatures driven by El Niño–Southern Oscillation caused widespread coral bleaching and mortality on some coral species. Ocean temperatures remained globally elevated throughout 2024 and we experienced the 4th recorded global coral bleaching event, which likely ended mid-2025.
Since 2023, the FCRRP has collected lessons learned from practitioners, managers, researchers, and partners on effective and ineffective bleaching response strategies. These insights are being used to strengthen preparedness, coordination, and response planning across the region. In an effort to provide a more coordinated and proactive approach to thermal stress preparedness, communication, operational readiness, and response support ahead of anticipated El Niño conditions, the FCRRP is currently drafting a Thermal Stress Preparedness and Response Plan, soon to be linked below.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
CURRENT CONDITIONS
El Niño is likely to emerge soon (82% chance in May-July 2026) and continue through Northern Hemisphere winter 2026-27 (96% chance in December 2026-February 2027).
There is a Bleaching Watch in the Keys.
The current alert is expected to dissipate in the next one to four weeks.
A Bleaching Watch will reappear in five to eight weeks (July).
A Bleaching Alert Level 1 is expected in nine to 12 weeks (August).
There is currently no Bleaching Alert for Southeast Florida.
No alert is expected in the next one to four weeks.
A Bleaching Watch will appear in five to eight weeks (July).
A Bleaching Alert Level 1 is expected in nine to 12 weeks (August).
WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS REPORTING
As of the end of May, community reports and oberservatitons are noting paling and some coral bleaching in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
RESOURCE LINKS
RESOURCE LINKS
To See Real-Time and Projected Ocean Conditions (some summarized and linked above)
To See Real-Time and Projected Ocean Conditions (some summarized and linked above)
NOAA Coral Reef Watch Home Page - A dashboard where you can find Bleaching Alerts, status of degree heating weeks, current sea surface temperatures, etc., by region and specific area.
Specific information for the Florida Keys
Specific information for Southeast Florida.
Subscribe to Satellite Bleaching Alert Email List Regional Virtual Stations
NOAA Coral Reef Watch Florida Specific Single Pixel Virtual Stations - A dashboard where you can find information on 19 specific reefs along Florida's Coral Reef.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Aqualink - A free, open-source platform that provides a real-time data for sites in the Florida Keys.
BleachWatch Dashboard - BleachWatch is an early warning network for coral bleaching and disease in southeast Florida. This dashboard let's you peruse a map of where observations have been reported, read the reports, and review report photos.
To Report Marine Observations (coral bleaching, disease, anchor damage, invasive species, fish kills, marine debris, etc.)
To Report Marine Observations (coral bleaching, disease, anchor damage, invasive species, fish kills, marine debris, etc.)
SEAFAN.net - Members of the public and community scientists can learn more and report coral bleaching, as well as a variety of incidents, here.
Folks can also call the SEAFAN hotline at 866-770-SEFL (7335)
Florida Keys BleachWatch - Trained individuals can report bleaching in the Florida Keys here.
South Florida BleachWatch - Trained individuals can report bleaching in Southeast Florida here.
To Learn More About Marine Environmental Monitoring
FWC's Disturbance Response Monitoring Program (DRM) - annual surveys conducted during peak bleaching months (Aug-Oct) on randomly selected sites along Florida’s Coral Reef. Collects data on coral density, diversity, size, and condition of stony corals, including capturing disease and bleaching prevalence. This is the predominant source of data for bleaching corals in Florida.
FWC's Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Project (CREMP) and Nova Southeastern University's Southeast Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Project (SECREMP) - SECREMP annually surveys 22 sites in Southeast Florida and CREMP surveys 51 permanent monitoring sites in the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas. Collects data on coral population demographics and health, including diversity, size, and condition of stony corals.
NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) - biennial surveys to monitor coral populations, benthic communities, and fish populations.
CONDITION REPORTS
CONDITION REPORTS
may 27 cc.pdfMote Marine Lab's current conditions report for May 27., 2026
RESOURCE DOCUMENTS
RESOURCE DOCUMENTS
2025 FL Bleaching Summary - 9.12.25.pdf2024 Bleaching Two-Pager_05.08.24.pdfHeader photo: FWC FWRI
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