FLORIDA'S 

CORAL REEF

Coral reef condition: 

A status report for

2020 release

2014–2018 Data
1513

Spanish explorer Juan 

Ponce de Leon leads 

the first European 

expedition to Florida.

1845

Florida 

becomes a 

U.S. state.

1961

Bahia Honda State 

Park established.

1986

Ban on queen 

conch harvest.

Photo: NOAA.

1983

Snapper-Grouper fishery 

management plan.

1981

Looe Key National 

Marine Sanctuary 

established.

1980

Biscayne 

National Park 

established.

1960

John Pennekamp 

Coral Reef State Park 

established.

1938

Florida Keys Overseas 

Highway opens, increasing 

public access to Florida Keys.

Photo: Florida Keys Public Libraries.

1928

First commercial 

airline flights to 

Key West.

1912

Overseas Railroad 

connects Key West 

to Florida via the 

East-Coast Railway.

1975

Key Largo National 

Marine Sanctuary 

established.

1565

Spain establishes St. 

Augustine, the first 

permanent European 

settlement in North America.

1846

First 

lighthouses 

built to aid in 

navigation.

1935

Labor Day Hurricane.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/keyslibraries/40483856543/in/-

photolist-24Fqm7B-5vzy4b-ekbVTg-5vzzFq-oV9obU-5vzyo9-nwn5ay-nwkUFo-rhU4Gs-cWD6P

9-5vztFL-pctfoC-5vzx9U-5vvd9r-5vvebR-nwm13q-5vzuPs-nwmCVc-5vzwiU-RwBZRr-5vveuM5vvfqD-24FqmrK-5vvcYH-5vzAb3-5vvcN6-dcuiq4-5vvh3i-cTtQns-5vzAD3-5vvbEv-5vvaJn-nwn

7o1-5vveGi-rxb6Jq-8w65Wc-So6kH3-5vvdPe-dkjwaK-xexZg-5vzv1W-4U9JDx-zhAawH-5vvg3

6-cABN6f-ekifbq-dBiaoy-ftn81p-5vzufA-8w97zs

Greg McFall Phil Dustan NASA Greg McFall

Coral reefs are important

Economy

From tourism to sport fishing, coral reefs play an important 

role in the economy of Florida. NOAA suggests that 

coral reefs in Florida have an asset value of $8.5 billion, 

generating $4.4 billion in local sales, $2 billion in local 

income, and 70,400 jobs. In the United States, about half of 

all federally managed fisheries depend on coral reefs, and 

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service estimates the 

annual commercial value of U.S. fisheries from coral reefs to 

be over $100 million. 

Shoreline Protection

Healthy coral reefs can absorb 97% of wave energy from 

storms and hurricanes, buffering shorelines, and helping 

to protect people and property. Coastlines protected by 

coral reefs are also less susceptible to shoreline and beach 

erosion than those without. One study estimates that reefs 

protect over $560 million worth of building infrastructure 

and $320 million worth of economic activity in Florida from 

storm-related flooding each year.

Legacy Conservation

It is estimated that more than one-quarter of the world’s live 

coral cover has been lost in the last three decades due to 

climate change and other factors. Some scientists estimate 

that the world may lose all its reef ecosystems by 2050 if 

action is not taken to reduce global threats. Right now we 

risk leaving the next generation a world where coral reefs 

do not exist. 

Access to Wildlife

Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems on 

Earth. They support more species per unit area than any 

other marine environment, including 4,000 species of fish 

and 800 species of hard corals. Scientists even estimate 

that there may still be millions of undiscovered reef species. 

If we want to protect ocean wildlife, conserving coral reefs 

is a priority.

Healthy coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth, with high cultural and economic 

significance. They provide billions of dollars in food, jobs, recreational opportunities, and other important goods and 

services to people around the world. 

green = biology and hurricanes light blue blue governance related to marine/reef 

management = general historic/government events and governance =
Pick up your own trash and the trash 

that others have left behind.

what you can do to help

There are many threats to coral reefs. Here are a few 

actions YOU can take to help conserve coral reefs:

reefs are under threat

Rapid Development

South Florida has seen significant population growth in 

the last few decades, and coastal development has rapidly 

increased to meet the demands of a growing community. 

Coastal construction, if done without best management 

practices, can be detrimental to adjacent ocean habitats 

and coral reefs in particular. For example, healthy 

mangroves help stabilize the shoreline, but when mangroves 

are removed for development, shorelines are more prone to 

erosion, and sediments can more easily pollute the reef.

Climate Change

Rapid development often correlates with rising greenhouse 

gas (e.g., CO2

) emissions. Burning fossil fuels for energy, 

industrial manufacturing, and deforestation are some of the 

ways these gases enter air and water circulation, warming 

both our atmosphere and our oceans. Carbon dioxide 

changes ocean chemistry by making seawater more acidic. 

The combination of warmer and more acidic oceans makes it 

harder for corals to grow, reproduce, and ultimately survive.

Overfishing

Fishing on coral reefs has economic, social, and cultural 

importance to Floridians. However, neither humans nor 

corals win when we remove too many fish too quickly from 

the reef. Lobster traps, nets, and boat anchors set on top of 

corals can damage reef structures and injure corals, while 

also destroying vital fish habitat. Overfishing large adult fish, 

which are likely to produce more biologically fit offspring, 

leads to dwindling fish populations over time. Florida's 

fishing legacy is inextricably connected to the health 

of its coral reefs.

Disease

Growing in frequency and severity, coral disease 

outbreaks are now one of the major causes of reef 

degradation and coral mortality around the globe. 

Many factors are contributing to the problem, including 

pollution, septic and agricultural runoff, and warming 

ocean temperatures. In Florida, reefs are currently 

experiencing a widespread disease outbreak referred 

to as Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease.

Coral reefs are declining globally, which has significant 

ecological, social, cultural, and economic impacts on people 

and communities. Florida's coral reefs are threatened by 

rapid development, climate change, overfishing, and disease. 

Don’t stand on or touch live coral. Don't 

take pieces of corals home with you.

Do not drop your anchor in reef areas.

Instead, use mooring buoys or sandy 

bottom areas.

Obey all marine preserve regulations; 

only take the regulated amount of fish.

Be responsible for the fishing nets and 

other gear you use.

Participate in volunteer-based/citizen 

science initiatives aimed at coral 

restoration.

Help protect mangroves and wetlands 

from filling and construction activities.

Plant native vegetation to prevent 

sediment and pollutants from 

reaching the reef. 

Reduce energy use and your 

carbon footprint.

Support initiatives that protect and 

preserve coral reefs.

2017

Hogfish catch 

limit and size 

changed. 

2019

Spiny lobster gear 

changed.

2018

Mutton snapper 

regulation 

changed.

2016

Florida Springs and 

Aquifer Protection 

Act enacted.

2016

Black and gag 

grouper catch 

size changed.

2016

Nassau 

Grouper listed 

as threatened.

2014

7 Atlantic species 

of corals listed as 

federally threatened 

or endangered.

1990

Florida Keys National Marine 

Sanctuary established.

Logo: Florida Keys National 

Marine Sanctuary.

2000

Coral Reef Conservation 

Act enacted.

1992

Dry Tortugas National 

Park established.

Logo: National Park Service.

1990

Goliath grouper 

and Nassau 

grouper closed to 

harvesting.

2014-2015

coral 

bleaching 

event

2014-

stony 

coral 

disease

2002

Retired navy ship USS Spiegel 

Grove intentionally sunk in waters 

off of Key Largo to create an 

artificial reef.

2013

Port Miami deep 

dredge project.

2017

Hurricane 

Irma.

2005

Hurricane 

Wilma.
tracking coral disease

Florida's Coral Reef has been 

experiencing an outbreak of a coral 

disease termed Stony Coral Tissue 

Loss Disease for over five years. First 

reported off the coast of Miami-Dade 

County in 2014, this outbreak now 

spans almost the entire reef system, 

with the exception of the Dry Tortugas. 

The disease impacts roughly half 

of Florida’s 45 stony coral species, 

including key reef building species, five 

species listed under the Endangered 

Species Act, and many other 

charismatic coral species. The disease 

affects certain coral species more 

than others and often kills the whole 

coral colony. This leads to significant 

declines of susceptible species on 

impacted reefs. 

Corals affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease on Florida's reefs. Image: 

https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/coral-disease/disease.html.

population density affects coral reef health
Temperature stress

Ocean acidification

Reef material growth

Herbivory

Adult coral

Diversity

Coral cover

Mortality

CCA cover

Macroalgae

FISH

CORALS

& ALGAE

CLIMATE

Diversity

Reef fish

Sustainability

florida's coral reef

Coral Reef 

Habitat

Sustainability

Reef fish

Diversity

Ocean

acidification

Temperature

stress

Reef material

growth

Pro-environmental

behaviors

Awareness

Support for

management

actions

Adult coral

Adult coral

Herbivory

Mortality

Diversity

Coral cover

Macroalgae

CCA cover

ALGAE CORALS &

CL

MI ATE

FIS

H

CO

HUMAN

NNECTIONS

69

FLORIDA’S 

CORAL REEF

florida keys

The Florida Keys is a chain of islands stretching 

south of Miami and just past Key West. The reefs 

of the Keys stretch well beyond the populated 

islands that most people are familiar with. Human 

development and reef use are characteristic of this 

area. The Keys reefs are in fair condition overall. 

Corals, algae, and fish are moderately impacted. 

While coral cover has declined on many reefs in the 

Keys, some offshore reefs have remained relatively 

healthy, which justifies a higher adult coral density 

score in this region. Climate conditions are 

impaired. Despite the heavy recreation and fishing, 

the reefs are only moderately impacted.

dry tortugas

The Dry Tortugas encompass a small group of islands approximately 

67 miles west of Key West, Florida. Most of the Dry Tortugas, above 

and below water, lie within the National Park. The park is a popular 

tourist attraction and receives tens of thousands of visitors each year. 

The Dry Tortugas are in fair condition overall. Corals, algae, and fish 

are moderately impacted. While two fish indicators related to fishing 

pressure score much better than the rest of Florida, macroalgae cover 

is very high. High macroalgae cover reduces the amount of space 

available for corals to grow. Climate conditions are very impacted 

in this region. Despite its remote location in comparison to the rest 

of Florida's reefs, the Dry Tortugas are impacted by human pollution, 

overfishing, and climate change.

southeast florida

The Southeast Florida reefs, located 

north of the Keys, stretch along the 

Atlantic coast of Florida. This area is 

heavily populated and has been altered 

by human development and agriculture. 

The reefs here are ecologically different 

than the other reefs of the Florida Coral 

Reef. The Southeast Florida reefs are 

impaired, meaning that they are very 

impacted by human activities. Corals, 

algae, and fish are in critical condition, 

while climate is moderately impacted. 

Restoration of these reefs is needed to 

improve overall conditions.

Temperature

stress

Ocean

acidification

Reef material

growth

Herbivory

Adult coral

Diversity

Coral cover

Mortality

CCA cover

Macroalgae

FISH

CORALS

& ALGAE

CLIMATE

Diversity

Reef fish

Sustainability 71

Temperature stress

Ocean

acidification

Reef material growth

Herbivory

Adult coral

Diversity

Coral cover

Mortality

CCA Cover

Macroalgae

FISH

CORALS

& ALGAE

CLIMATE

62

Diversity

Reef fish

Sustainability

What do the scores mean?

80–89% Good

70–79% Fair

90–100% Very Good 60–69% Impaired

0–59% Critical

Insufficient Data

Not scored.

Most indicators meet reference values. 

Conditions in these locations are lightly 

impacted or have lightly declined. *Human 

connections are high.

Some indicators meet reference values. 

Conditions in these locations are moderately 

impacted or have declined moderately. *Human 

connections are moderate.

All or almost all indicators meet reference values. 

Conditions in these locations are unimpacted, or 

minimally impacted or have not declined. 

*Human connections are very high.

Few indicators meet reference values. 

Conditions in these locations are very impacted 

or have declined considerably. *Human 

connections are lacking.

Very few or no indicators meet reference values. 

Conditions in these locations are severely 

impacted or have declined substantially. 

*Human connections are severely lacking.

*Human connections data are only collected at the overall Florida level, not the sub-region level. 

Land

FLORIDA'S CORAL REEF IS IMP AIRED

Florida's Coral Reef extends from Martin County on the Atlantic Coast of 

Florida, through the Keys, and to the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico. 

The Florida Coral Reef is the only coral reef system found along the 

coast of the continental United States. It is adjacent to intense human 

development and is heavily used for its resources. The Florida Coral 

Reef was divided into three sub-regions to evaluate the condition 

of four categories—corals & algae, fish, climate, and human 

connections. Florida's Coral Reef is impaired overall. Corals, algae, 

and fish in the system are moderately impacted. Diversity of 

fishes is good. Climate is a factor negatively affecting coral reefs. 

Temperature stress and ocean acidification, which lead to coral 

bleaching and less coral growth respectively, are global problems 

seen locally in Florida. Despite these threats, management 

actions can make a difference. Awareness and participation in 

pro-environmental behaviors are lacking in Florida, and support for 

management actions that may improve the reefs is also lacking. 

These conditions show that Florida's Coral Reef is struggling against 

threats, such as pollution, overfishing, and global climate change. 

Public participation in preservation and conservation of coral reefs is 

needed to protect Florida's Coral Reef.
protecting florida's 

corals from disease

The Coral Rescue Project is a multi-agency effort 

that aims to rescue healthy corals in response 

to the current Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease 

outbreak. The project consists of numerous 

organizations, including non-profits, state, and 

national agencies. Such large-scale commitment is 

a testament to the severity of this outbreak as well 

as public demand for enhanced coral conservation. 

The goal of the Coral Rescue Project is to create a 

repository of key coral species that can be drawn 

upon in the future to re-seed reefs destroyed by 

this disease. Such efforts will be possible once 

scientists have a better understanding of the 

disease. The various teams involved aim to collect 

around 5,000 individual corals. These teams are 

currently harvesting brain corals, star corals, and 

other species from areas so far unharmed by the 

outbreak. Harvested corals are then housed at 

land-based nurseries and aquaria, where they are 

propogated for later use. Despite the high toll this 

disease is having on corals, it is inspiring to see 

such a large-scale response from members of the 

Coral Rescue Project to this marine epidemic.

Healthy corals on the Florida Coral Reef.

 Photo: Derek Manzello.

key themes &indicators

Climate

Climate affects all components of a reef 

system. Climate change and ocean acidification 

influence reefs across the globe, but conditions 

vary at the regional and local level. The climate 

indicators are:

• Temperature stress, which evaluates the frequency and 

severity of high temperature events.

• Ocean acidification, which indicates if the water 

chemistry is suitable for the growth of corals 

and other calcifiers.

• Reef material growth, which is a calculated 

measurement of the yearly gain or loss of 

three-dimensional reef habitat. 

fish

Coral reefs serve a vital ecological role for fish 

species. Fish are important to the ecology of the 

reef, the economy, and the livelihoods of local 

communities. The indicators for fish are:

• Reef fish, a region-specific measure of density for 

selected fish species.

• Sustainability, a measure of human-related fish 

mortality relative to natural fish mortality.

• Diversity, a measure of unique fish species present.

Coral reef management agencies protect reef 

resources through management plans, public 

education, and involving communities in 

managing their resources. The indicators for 

human connections are:

• Awareness, an indicator of residents’ familiarity with 

threats to and the importance of reefs.

• Support for management actions, an indicator of 

support for reef management activities.

• Pro-environmental behavior, an indicator of residents’ 

participation in activities to protect the environment.

human connections

Corals & algae make up the base of the coral 

reef ecosystem, providing food and shelter 

for fish, shellfish, and marine mammals. The 

indicators for corals & algae are: 

• Coral cover, a measure of what percentage of the 

bottom (benthos) is living stony coral.

• Macroalgae cover, a measure of what percentage of 

the bottom (benthos) is macroalgae.

• Crustose coralline algae (CCA) cover, a measure of 

what percentage of the bottom (benthos) is crustose 

coralline algae.

• Adult coral, a measure of the density of reproductive 

age coral species. 

• Herbivory, a measure of the level of grazing pressure by 

fish on corals and algae.

• Mortality, a measure of the amount of old dead coral 

skeleton exposed as scars on live coral colonies.

• Diversity, a measure of unique coral species present.

Corals & algae
The Dry Tortugas encompass the most pristine 

coral reefs in Florida. Located approximately 67 

miles from Key West, their remote location and 

current conservation status help to minimize fishing 

pressure. The marine reserves in this region make 

up the Tortugas Ecological Reserves and Research 

Natural Area; they provide much needed protection 

for populations of valuable species such as snappers, 

groupers, and hogfish to recover. The no-take 

regulations within the marine reserves also allow for 

higher fish densities and larger individual adults when 

compared to areas with open fishing. Coincidentally, the 

marine reserves in the Dry Tortugas were designated 

right as spawning aggregations of mutton snapper 

in the southern reserve reformed. Healthy spawning 

aggregations in this region are particularly important 

as ocean currents flow from here to the Florida Keys, 

supplying new fish, including mutton snapper, to 

fisheries throughout Florida's Coral Reef.

successful reef management 

in florida

fish thrive at dry tortugas

why a status report?

Effective coral reef conservation cannot be accomplished 

without an informed and engaged public. This status report 

is part of an ongoing series of documents to track the status 

and trends of coral reefs across the U.S. and its territories. 

Florida's Coral Reef status report is part of a larger effort to 

provide the public and decision-makers with information 

about managing and conserving coral reef ecosystems.

This status report provides a geographically specific 

assessment of Florida's Coral Reef condition for the 

period 2014–2018. The Florida Coral Reef was divided 

into three sub-regions based on data resolution, 

geographical features, and impacts to the ecosystem. 

Data were collected by NOAA's National Coral Reef 

Monitoring Program. For more detailed information on 

methodologies, indicators, thresholds, and scoring, visit 

http://www.coris.noaa.gov (keyword: status reports).

Status report working group

Erica Towle, Erick Geiger, Jay Grove, Sarah Groves, 

Shay Viehman, Matthew Johnson, Jeremiah Blondeau, 

Jennifer Stein, Matt Gorstein, Amanda Borque, Alejandro 

Acosta, Meaghan Johnson, Mike Feeley, Francisco Pagan, 

Lauri MacLaughlin, Kathryn Lohr, Caitlin Lustic, Karen 

Bohnsack, Jim Bohnsack, Derek Manzello, Ian Enochs, 

Jennifer Koss, Kimberly Edwards, Peter Edwards, Andy 

Bruckner, Sara Thanner, Jennifer Herbig, Kelly Montenero, 

Dana Wusinich-Mendez, Kurtis Gregg, Chris Kelble, Tom 

Moore, Leanne Rutten, Philip Kramer, Pat Quinn, Erick Ault, 

Jerald Ault, Sarah Fangman, Chloe Fleming, David Gilliam, 

Kirk Kilfoyle, Brian Walker, Diego Lirman.

About this status report

This status report is a joint product of NOAA's Coral 

Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) and the University 

of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Science 

communication, design, and layout by Nathan Miller, 

Caroline Donovan and Heath Kelsey. March 2020.

Acknowledgements

The CRCP supports effective management and sound 

science to preserve, sustain, and restore valuable coral 

reef ecosystems for future generations. For more 

information, visit coralreef.noaa.gov. Cover photo by 

Greg McFall.

The views and conclusions contained in this document 

are those of the authors and should not be interpreted 

as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. 

Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 

and its funding sources. Mention of trade names 

or commercial products does not constitute their 

endorsement by the U.S. Government, or the National 

Fish and Wildlife Foundation or its funding sources.

References 

https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/corals/economy.html

Storlazzi CD, Reguero BG, Cole AD, Lowe E, Shope JB, 

Gibbs AE, Nickel BA, McCall RT, van Dongeren AR, Beck 

MW. 2019. Rigorously valuing the role of U.S. coral 

reefs in coastal hazard risk reduction: U.S. Geological 

The status report working group during the workshop in 

Miami, FL, May 2019.

For centuries, Florida’s shallow reef ecosystem has fostered 

a diversity of fishes and corals while simultaneously being 

a dangerous navigational hazard for mariners. This long 

history of human interactions with the reefs has led to many 

management actions, beginning with lighthouses, state 

and national parks, and a national marine sanctuary. More 

recently, multi-pronged management approaches have 

been implemented by local, state, and federal jurisdictions 

to establish marine reserves that spatially protect areas 

from user conflicts and fishing pressure. Enacted legislation 

has established the legal infrastructure needed to prevent 

and/or mitigate unpermitted impacts such as sewage 

discharge and illegal fishing. Regulations also exist that 

promote sustainable fishing practices and further enable 

coral reef habitat protection. Florida’s numerous ornamental 

fishes, including larger rainbow and midnight parrotfishes, 

are typically less common in the Caribbean and exemplify 

successful coastal management practices. 

The residual ecological stressors of recent and rapid human 

population growth along Florida's Coral Reef present new 

environmental management challenges, and local resource 

managers are working to rise to these challenges. They are 

striving for solutions to water quality, habitat (coral disease 

and reef restoration), and fisheries concerns so that healthy 

reefs can coexist alongside coastal communities. 

Survey Open-File Report 2019–1027, 42 p, https://doi.

org/10.3133/ofr20191027.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/06/

coral-reef-bleaching-global-warming-unesco-sites/