84% of the world’s coral areas impacted in the most intense global coral bleaching event ever.

The most intense global coral bleaching event on record is still ongoing, according to scientists. One year on from the official declaration of the fourth global coral bleaching event by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), bleaching alerts continue to develop across the world. From 1 January 2023 to 30 March 2025, bleaching-level heat stress […]
Tonga’s Coral Reefs Show Resilience Despite Volcanic Shock

In August 2022, Tonga’s reefs were surveyed for the first time following the devastating eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano and resulting tsunami. Despite the scale of the event, the survey—led by the Government of Tonga in partnership with the Waitt Institute and Scripps Institution of Oceanography—found that reef impacts were highly localised, with […]
Samoa’s Coral Reefs Show Signs of Recovery Amidst Local Pressures

In September 2022, a collaborative expedition across Samoa’s main islands of Upolu and Savai’i delivered one of the most comprehensive national assessments of coral reef health to date. Led by Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in partnership with the Waitt Institute and Conservation International, the survey returned […]
NCRMP release summary of 2023 coral reef monitoring activities

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released a summary of its 2023 coral reef monitoring activities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), conducted through its National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). This ongoing effort tracks the health of coral reefs by collecting biological data on fish populations, coral species, and […]
Advancing Coral Reef Monitoring: The Power of 4D Photogrammetry

Accurately assessing coral reef health is fundamental to conservation and restoration efforts. The Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), managed by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), is revolutionising coral reef monitoring through 4D photogrammetry. This cutting-edge approach enhances traditional 3D mapping by integrating temporal changes, allowing scientists to track reef dynamics over time […]
No-take marine reserves Great Barrier Reef supply nearly half of the region’s coral trout catch

A new study revealed that the marine reserve network on the Great Barrier Reef is not just a tool for conservation but measurably contributes to the sustainability of local fisheries. The Great Barrier Reef’s network of marine reserves is designed to protect its biodiversity. These reserves protect critical habitats for many species, including coral trout […]
Coral Reef Experts from the Western Indian Ocean convene for Status of Coral Reefs of the World

The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) successfully hosted the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Workshop from 11–13 February 2025 in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in collaboration with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and the UN Environment Programme. This workshop brought together key regional organisations to enhance coral reef monitoring, data standardisation, and reporting efforts. Read the summary report here. The workshop opening welcomed […]
Reef Check releases its 2024 assessment of Malaysia’s coral reefs

Reef Check Malaysia has released its 2024 Annual Survey Report, providing a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s coral reef health. The report is based on data collected from 315 sites across Malaysia’s three eco-regions: Sunda Shelf, Malacca Strait, and North Borneo. Key Findings: Live Coral Cover: The average live coral cover was recorded at 44.65%, […]
The GCRMN holds its first Editorial Team meeting for the Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025

The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) editorial team has officially commenced work on the production of the Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025 report, following a highly successful data collation process initiated in May 2024. During their first editorial team meeting, members outlined the roadmap for the report’s production, reinforcing their commitment […]
New report highlights the impact of the Fourth Global Bleaching Event in the Chagos Archipelahgo

A coral bleaching event swept across the Chagos Archipelago in 2024, aligning with the Fourth Global Bleaching Event announced by NOAA and the International Coral Reef Initiative. Findings from a recent report by Mark Spalding (Chief Science Advisor, British Indian Ocean Territory Administration (BIOT)), Marion Bourasseau (Senior Fisheries Protection Officer, Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG) […]