If you’ve ever snorkeled in the Florida Keys, you’re aware of how unforgettable it is—floating above a colorful reef, seeing schools of neon fish zip past, sea fans undulating with the current, and maze-like coral structures extending below. But beneath all that loveliness, a crisis is taking place. Over just four decades, more than 90 percent of the live coral that used to cover the Florida Keys has vanished. And it’s not just an environmental blow—it’s a threat to the entire regional economy, culture, and storm protection.
It’s not one thing that’s caused this steep decline. It’s an intermix of local devastation, such as boats dropping anchors in the wrong places, vessels grounding, pollution, overfishing, and disease. And then there’s the global phenomenon: warmer ocean temperatures triggering huge coral bleaching events that weaken corals and make them fight for survival. As NOAA and its partners say, the destruction of these reefs may trigger a cascade effect, with the implications reaching from tourism to local culture, both of which are dependent on the marine ecosystem’s well-being.
Coral reefs aren’t only stunning—they’re well worth their beauty. In southeast Florida alone, they’re valued at over $8.5 billion. They host approximately 43,000 jobs and contribute about $4.4 billion annually to the state economy. They also serve as natural storm buffers, protect thousands of marine creatures, and power tourist and fishing economies. As reefs deteriorate, the individuals who rely on them for food, employment, and recreation suffer as well.
But this crisis isn’t just about how many corals remain—it’s also about the diversity within them. Consider elkhorn coral, for instance. Previously a dominant force in reef building, today it’s hanging by a thread. Following the record-breaking marine heat wave during summer 2023, NOAA Fisheries researchers found that only 37 genetically different elkhorn coral colonies remained in the wild along the Florida Reef Tract. That represents a loss of at least 160 before the heat wave—a whopping 77 percent decline in genetic diversity.
And since there are so few different corals remaining, their capacity to recover naturally is remarkably low. The good news? Over 180 genotypes are conserved in coral gene banks and nurseries, providing restoration crews with something to work from.
Faced with these challenges, the Florida Keys have emerged as a world leader in coral restoration. Small local projects have assisted for years, yet they haven’t been sufficient to keep up with the decline. That’s why NOAA and a broad network of partners initiated Mission: Iconic Reefs—a daring, ambitious initiative to restore seven of the Keys’ most significant reef sites. It’s about scaling up and applying the best available science to restore not only the quantity of corals, but strength and diversity that reefs require to succeed.
The effort begins by cleaning up the locations, eradicating invasive plants and algae that suffocate young corals. Next, groups sow quickly growing coral species to achieve a minimum of 15 percent coral cover in the zones, and later on, move towards 25 percent. That would be sufficient to maintain an adequate, healthy ecosystem function. Elkhorn coral is particularly significant early in the effort because it has some disease resistance. After that, the other species, such as star, brain, pillar, and staghorn corals, are introduced to enhance diversity. To maintain equilibrium, the reefs are also being reintroduced with beneficial species such as the long-spined sea urchins and the Caribbean king crabs, which consume algae and assist the corals to grow.
This is not a science experiment—it’s a big community-led effort. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s Restoration Blueprint, informed through decades of public comment and scientific evaluation, modernizes protections for reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves for the first time in more than two decades. As Marisa Carrozzo, a senior manager at the National Parks Conservation Association, puts it, “We are calling for all hands on deck to put this plan into action and protect the Keys and our connected national parks for generations to come.”
What’s happening now is restoration on a scale we’ve never seen before. Nurseries for corals are raising hundreds of thousands of healthy corals per year, and crews are replanting them back onto the reefs with anything from marine cement to zip ties. Researchers are cultivating more heat- and disease-resistant strains of coral. Emergency response teams stand ready to rescue and reattach corals knocked loose by storms or ship collisions. And the local community—from church groups to fishing guides—is getting involved.
There’s still a long way to go. The greatest threat is climate change, and the clock isn’t working in our favor. But what’s occurring in the Florida Keys demonstrates that there is genuine hope. The passion, innovation, and dedication that are being invested in preserving these reefs are paying off—not only for the corals, but for all those who care about and depend on them. The saga of Florida’s coral reefs is far from finished. Right now, it’s a story of resilience, teamwork, and the belief that even our most fragile natural wonders are worth fighting for.