Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

This site is currently in beta, and your feedback is helping shape its ongoing development.

Coral bleaching data from Bleachwatch in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from 2016-05-17 to 2016-10-03 (NCEI Accession 0157068)

Published by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Metadata Last Checked: January 29, 2026 | Last Modified: 2016-11-29T00:00:00.000+00:00
The initial onset of mass coral bleaching can vary among different species, geographic locations, types of reef zones and a fluctuation of severity, which makes it very difficult to predict where or when it will occur. The Florida Keys BleachWatch Program, modeled after Great Barrier Reef’s BleachWatch, is a team of trained recreational, commercial and scientific divers who help monitor and report on conditions at the reefs. After each visit to the reef, the divers complete a data form, either printed or online, and send it to the BleachWatch coordinator. The divers are provided with an underwater wristband to use as a reference and a reminder key below and above the water. Information from NOAA's remote sensing and in-situ monitoring projects are reviewed routinely and summarized along with BleachWatch volunteer observations in the field to provide a comprehensive overview of current conditions throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Florida Keys Coral Bleaching Current Conditions Reports include a summary of relevant weather information, NOAA Coral Bleaching "HotSpot" and "Degree Heating Weeks" analysis, and updated in-situ monitoring data, along with BleachWatch observer reports for each region during a given period.

data.gov

An official website of the GSA's Technology Transformation Services

Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov