Summertime in the Florida Keys is when local coral reefs may begin to show signs of heat-driven bleaching, a stress response which increases susceptibility to disease, predation and mortality. Mote Marine Laboratory, in partnership with Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, is seeking volunteers to monitor and report on reef conditions throughout the Florida Keys.
Mote and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary will host BleachWatch training sessions to engage volunteer divers and snorkelers in the Florida Keys BleachWatch program. BleachWatch provides critical monitoring data before, during and after coral bleaching events in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. (Details are below.)
As a community-based reporting program, BleachWatch relies on a large network of trained observers to be “eyes on the water”, providing regular reports on actual coral conditions. This field observation data is synthesized with NOAA’s monitoring data to provide scientists, resource managers and the public summaries of current conditions on Florida reefs. The data is also essential to inform future restoration strategy.
Mote’s BleachWatch program has operated since 2005 in partnership with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). BleachWatch is funded by Mote’s Protect Our Reefs grants program, which distributes funds from sales of Florida’s Protect Our Reefs specialty license plate.
How to participate in Florida Keys BleachWatch:
Recreational and professional divers and snorkelers can get involved by attending an upcoming training session led by Mote. Sessions last approximately 60 minutes. No scientific background is needed. Workshops were held on May 14 at Mote’s International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration, May 18 at Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada and May 19 at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo.
Remaining workshops will take place on Saturday, May 23 at 10 a.m. at the Marathon Fire Station, 8900 Overseas Highway and June 13 at noon at John Pennekamp State Park Visitor Center, 102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo.
Pre-registration is requested at mote.org/bleachwatch. If unable to attend an in-person workshop, online training is also available at mote.org/bleachwatch. For more information contact Eva Laxo at: bleachwatch@mote.org or 941-685-1860.
