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This page will be updated weekly to share information on thermal stress and coral bleaching
This page will be updated weekly to share information on thermal stress and coral bleaching
along Florida's Coral Reef during 2026.
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. Since then, ocean temperatures across the globe remain elevated and we are in the midst of the 4th recorded global coral bleaching event.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
CURRENT CONDITIONS
As of May 14th 2026, 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 currently a Bleaching Watch in the Keys. This Watch is expected to die down over the next eight weeks, but resume in nine to 12 weeks (July/August).
There is currently no Bleaching Alerts for Southeast Florida. However, there is expected to be a Bleaching Watch in nine to 12 weeks (July/August).
What We're Hearing from the Community
To be updated..
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, degree heating weeks, 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 - An early warning network for coral bleaching and disease in southeast Florida.
To Report Marine Observations (coral blecahing, disease, anchor damage, invasive species, fish kills, marine debris, etc.)
To Report Marine Observations (coral blecahing, disease, anchor damage, invasive species, fish kills, marine debris, etc.)
SEAFAN.net - Members of the public and community scientists can learn more and report 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
NOAA National Weather Service Florida Keys Sea Surface Temperature Trends - Weekly Briefs
NOAA National Weather Service Florida Keys Sea Surface Temperature Trends - Weekly Briefs
Header photo: FWC FWRI
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