07/09/2026
🌊 The most comprehensive global assessment of coral reefs ever undertaken is here.
Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) GCRMN-Caribbean has launched the “Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025,” drawing on over 40 years of data – 21.1 million observations from 87,299 surveys at 36,886 sites across 124 countries, territories and economies.
The numbers: 📉 9.5% relative decline in global hard coral cover vs. the 1980-2009 average, driven primarily by human-induced climate change. Since 1998, every major global bleaching event has knocked back hard coral cover. Reefs that once had decades to recover are now often getting just five or six years, and sometimes far less.
But that’s not the whole story.
📈 ~6% relative increase between 2017 and 2019 – evidence that coral reefs can recover when given the chance.
But we can’t leave it to chance. This report calls on policymakers to move urgently from science to action to secure the future of coral reefs.
The path forward combines three things: rapid emissions reductions, effective action on local pressures like overfishing and coastal development, and sustained long-term monitoring so policymakers and reef managers can implement evidence-based conservation measures.
More frequent and intense marine heatwaves mean the window is narrowing. It hasn't closed. Now is the moment to harness science, innovation and collective action to safeguard these vital ecosystems.
Read the full report: https://gcrmn.net/2025-report/
International Coral Reef Initiative Coral Reef Society Australian Institute of Marine Science Gouvernement Monaco Foundation Bloomberg Philanthropies