{"id":6811,"date":"2023-08-15T16:52:05","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T23:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coral.org\/?page_id=6811"},"modified":"2026-01-30T08:49:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T16:49:30","slug":"how-to-mobilize-and-protect","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/coral-bleaching\/how-to-mobilize-and-protect\/","title":{"rendered":"Bleaching Checklist: How to Mobilize and Protect Coral Reefs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em>For Managers, NOAA has created the<strong> Coral Reef Information System (NOAA Coris)<\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size\"><em>For more details, <strong>visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coris.noaa.gov\/activities\/projects\/bleach_events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this webpage for the top 10 things you can do before\/during\/after a bleaching event<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dive Operators<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Before<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Being prepared prior to a bleaching event helps tremendously. Avoid the scramble and take the following steps to get ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd32 <strong>Develop and\/or review your bleaching response plans<\/strong> &#8211; Don\u2019t have one? Check the Reef Resilience Network guidance to develop a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/reefresilience.org\/management-strategies\/managing-climate-threats\/coral-bleaching\/\">Bleaching Response Plan<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd32 <strong>Sign up for bleaching alerts<\/strong> for specific areas using:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/coralreefwatch.noaa.gov\/subscriptions\/vs.php\">NOAA Coral Reef Watch<\/a> (global)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.allencoralatlas.org\">Allen Coral Atlas<\/a> (global)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/marcosouth.org\/coralbleaching\/\">Western Indian Ocean Coral Bleaching Monitoring Service<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/simar.conabio.gob.mx\">SIMAR<\/a> (Caribbean)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd32 <strong>Get contact information for authorities, dive operators, managers, and other key partners<\/strong> (<a href=\"mailto:coralreefwatch@noaa.gov\">coralreefwatch@noaa.gov<\/a>, <a href=\"mailto:bleaching@allencoralatlas.com\">bleaching@allencoralatlas.com<\/a>, and other local NGOs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd32 <strong>Connect with local monitoring groups and support monitoring plans for the region<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd32 <strong>Join a citizen science monitoring network<\/strong> (examples below)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Global-<a href=\"https:\/\/coralwatch.org\/monitoring\/survey-methods\/\">Coral Watch<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reefcheck.org\">Reef Check<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Great Barrier Reef-<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gbrmpa.gov.au\/help\/eye-on-the-reef\">Eye on the Reef (GBRMPA)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/storymaps.arcgis.com\/stories\/c5679e467ed649999b9eef0d6d39b265\">Philippines Coral Bleaching Watch<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/reefcheck.or.id\/coral-bleaching-network\/\">Coral Bleaching Indonesia<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd32 <strong>Observe and document changes on the reef<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Take plenty of photos of the corals and their environment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udd32 Work with stakeholders to reduce other stressors on the reef<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Set up moorings to prevent anchoring (if you must anchor, do so in sand patches)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce fishing pressure and protect key herbivore species, such as parrotfish<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&#8217;t touch corals, and keep hands and feet off the reef (stand in the sand)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use reef-safe sunscreen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure you have proper wastewater treatment to reduce contaminants from sewage since bleached corals are more susceptible to diseases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udd32 Communicate to diving guests how they can support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><span class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\" id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-960d4434-6db3-4356-ba91-3f817c922535\"><span class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-960d4434-6db3-4356-ba91-3f817c922535\" id=\"hs-cta-960d4434-6db3-4356-ba91-3f817c922535\"><!--[if lte IE 8]><div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div><![endif]--><a href=\"https:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/39879831\/960d4434-6db3-4356-ba91-3f817c922535\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hs-cta-img\" id=\"hs-cta-img-960d4434-6db3-4356-ba91-3f817c922535\" style=\"border-width:0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/39879831\/960d4434-6db3-4356-ba91-3f817c922535.png\"  alt=\"Download the checklist - get the PDF\"\/><\/a><\/span><script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> hbspt.cta.load(39879831, '960d4434-6db3-4356-ba91-3f817c922535', {\"useNewLoader\":\"true\",\"region\":\"na1\"}); <\/script><\/span><!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code -->\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>During<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re not powerless\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd32 <strong>Help reduce additional stressors on the reef<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Give busy dive and snorkel sites a rest, especially if corals are fluorescing!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take a break from fishing, including spearfishing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd32 <strong>Connect with local monitoring groups and NGOs to document and report the bleaching event<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Observe carefully which corals survive and which ones die (ecological and socioeconomic impacts) &#8211; <em>this is really important for understanding adaptation, resilience and restoration efforts.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take photos of the same landscapes in your &#8220;before&#8221; sites<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Send the information to <a href=\"mailto:coralreefwatch@noaa.gov\">coralreefwatch@noaa.gov<\/a> and\/or <a href=\"mailto:bleaching@allencoralatlas.com\">bleaching@allencoralatlas.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd32 <strong>Communicate about bleaching events as climate impacts, and advocate for policies that address climate change to the media and government authorities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ask them what they\u2019ll do to take action &#8211; see ideas on this checklist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udd32 Add an explanation of what&#8217;s happening to the reef in your dive brief<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>After<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s important to document lessons learned and ensure data informs management decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udd32 Observe and document long-term impacts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Write down and take photos of the species dying and surviving<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Communicate observations to authorities and NGOs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udd32 Debrief about the coral bleaching impacts and responses in a coordinated manner with all stakeholders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udd32 Continue working to reduce stressors on the reef<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udd32 Communicate about climate impacts, and advocate for policies that address climate change<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If your ongoing restoration project is facing coral bleaching, see the<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/icriforum.org\/crc-2023-bleaching-guidance\/\"><strong>Coral Restoration Consortium Guidelines<\/strong><\/a><\/em> <em>for information on what you can do now to minimize damage, as well as how to identify resilient corals for future restoration efforts.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Some of the information in this checklist is adapted from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coris.noaa.gov\/activities\/projects\/bleach_events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NOAA&#8217;s Coral Reef Information System (CORIS)<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><span class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\" id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-bc36baf7-eb1a-462b-8303-49b7c7b7e685\"><span class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-bc36baf7-eb1a-462b-8303-49b7c7b7e685\" id=\"hs-cta-bc36baf7-eb1a-462b-8303-49b7c7b7e685\"><!--[if lte IE 8]><div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div><![endif]--><a href=\"https:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/39879831\/bc36baf7-eb1a-462b-8303-49b7c7b7e685\" ><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hs-cta-img\" id=\"hs-cta-img-bc36baf7-eb1a-462b-8303-49b7c7b7e685\" style=\"border-width:0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/39879831\/bc36baf7-eb1a-462b-8303-49b7c7b7e685.png\"  alt=\"Get a printer-friendly checklist here - get the check list\"\/><\/a><\/span><script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> hbspt.cta.load(39879831, 'bc36baf7-eb1a-462b-8303-49b7c7b7e685', {\"useNewLoader\":\"true\",\"region\":\"na1\"}); <\/script><\/span><!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code -->\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/coral-bleaching\/the-future-of-corals\/\">Continue to the Future of Coral Reefs &gt;<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer is-style-large\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For Managers, NOAA has created the Coral Reef Information System (NOAA Coris) For more details, visit this webpage for the top 10 things you can do before\/during\/after a bleaching event Dive Operators Before Being prepared prior to a bleaching event helps tremendously. Avoid the scramble and take the following steps to get ahead. \ud83d\udd32 Develop&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/coral-bleaching\/how-to-mobilize-and-protect\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue Reading &#8594;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":6892,"parent":6758,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"sidebar-content","_genesis_transparent_header":false,"_genesis_hide_siblings_nav":true,"_genesis_hide_flyout":false,"_genesis_subtitle":"","_genesis_subheading":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-6811","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"entry"},"acf":[],"template_part":"","featured_image_src":"https:\/\/static.coral.org\/uploads\/2023\/08\/230820_Puerto-Morelos-Limones_LJM07316-dk-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/static.coral.org\/uploads\/2023\/08\/230820_Puerto-Morelos-Limones_LJM07316-dk-600x600.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6811"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6811\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6758"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}