Uploaded August 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory's Coral Program documented bleached corals at Cheeca Rocks near Islamorada, FL during routine monitoring starting in late July 2023. Part of the Mission: Iconic Reefs project, Cheeca Rocks has some of the highest percent of stony coral coverage in the Florida Keys and has historically been more resilient than other reefs in the area.
The water temperatures at this site has reached 91 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much higher than what is typically recorded for this time of year.
Most of the corals here are heavily bleached, with some already experiencing mortality. AOML Coral Program scientists are visiting this site often to collect photomosaics to document this bleaching event.
To learn more, visit: aoml.noaa.gov/threats-to-coral/#MarineHeatWave
NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory's Coral Program documented bleached corals at Cheeca Rocks near Islamorada, FL during routine monitoring starting in late July 2023. Part of the Mission: Iconic Reefs project, Cheeca Rocks has some of the highest percent of stony coral coverage in the Florida Keys and has historically been more resilient than other reefs in the area.
The water temperatures at this site has reached 91 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much higher than what is typically recorded for this time of year.
Most of the corals here are heavily bleached, with some already experiencing mortality. AOML Coral Program scientists are visiting this site often to collect photomosaics to document this bleaching event.
To learn more, visit: aoml.noaa.gov/threats-to-coral/#MarineHeatWave
