Florida Keys reefs are heating up.
NOAA Coral Reef Watch is reporting that ocean temperatures around south Florida and the Bahamas are already warmer than they were at this time in 2023, when the region experienced record-breaking coral bleaching.
Current monitoring shows that many reef areas have already reached or exceeded the coral bleaching threshold, and that heat stress has accumulated earlier than it did in 2023.
On July 7, NOAA announced that many areas of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary are at Bleaching Alert Level 1, meaning that bleaching is likely to occur due to accumulated thermal stress.
Sea surface temperatures continue to be closely monitored as conditions evolve.
While it is too early to predict how this season will unfold, weather patterns over the coming weeks, including winds, storms and ocean currents, will play an important role in determining whether temperatures remain elevated or cool.
There is some cautious optimism. The Gulf Stream is currently flowing closer to the Florida Keys than it has in recent years, which can bring cooler water and periodic upwelling that may help reduce heat stress on reefs. Scientists will also be watching for possible algal blooms that can sometimes accompany these upwelling events.
The public can help monitor reef conditions. If you are diving or snorkeling in the Florida Keys, report what you see through Florida’s BleachWatch program. Reports of healthy, unbleached corals are just as valuable as reports of bleaching, helping scientists understand where reefs are thriving and where they may be under stress.
Report your observations by scanning the QR code:
QR LINK: https://floridadep.gov/rcp/coral/content/bleachwatch
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary will continue to share updates throughout the summer as NOAA Coral Reef Watch and other partners monitor conditions across the sanctuary.
Want to track the trends on your own? For water temperature monitoring, visit: https://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/
