Reef-World launches Green Fins coral bleaching toolkit

The Reef-World Foundation has launched a new coral bleaching toolkit in response to the global coral bleaching event currently underway and recently confirmed by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI).

The Green Fins Global Coral Bleaching Response Toolkit is designed to provide guidance for marine tourism operators on managing and monitoring the impacts of coral bleaching and measures they can take to aid reef recovery.

The guide features information about the causes and impacts of coral bleaching compiled from resources provided by NOAA, the ICRI, Coral Reef Alliance and Reef Check, together with Green Fins materials covering methods for engaging tourists and local communities.

The El Niño phenomenon – ongoing since February 2023 – has led to persistently warmer global sea surface temperatures, which has led to coral bleaching events being recorded in all ocean regions. Although mass bleaching is a serious phenomenon, it is also a natural survival strategy and corals will survive if given time to adapt.

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‘Coral reefs are under a huge amount of stress every day and that reduces their chance of recovery from bleaching events,’ said Chloe Harvey, Executive Director at The Reef-World Foundation.

‘However, this time around the scientists have been watching the data closely, so we’re prepared. We understand what it means and we know what we need to do to respond to it. This global event calls for global action to protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come.’

Reef-World hopes that by equipping marine tourism operators with the necessary knowledge and resources, the marine tourism industry can be a driving force in contributing to the sustainability of marine environments.

Other key players in the industry, such as the PADI AWARE Foundation, are already on board, and the Reef-World Foundation says it is ‘looking forward to more collaborative actions in the industry.’

Explore the toolkit on Green Fins’ website: greenfins.net/coral-bleaching

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