Media resources: Deeper dive into coral bleaching event

Attention journalists: View or download a pdf version of the power point slides to follow along with today’s 1 PM Media teleconference on coral.

Audio recording: NOAA Deep Dive: Florida Coral Reef Bleaching Event media call on August 17, 2023. Transcript: NOAA Deep Dive: Florida Coral Bleaching Event media call held on August 17, 2023.

On Thursday, August 17, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET , Steve Thur, Ph.D., NOAA assistant administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, will provide opening remarks and introduce a panel of NOAA experts who will provide a media briefing on how record-breaking warm ocean temperatures this summer have stressed, bleached, and in some cases, killed coral within the 3,800 square miles of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, a marine area of continuous, diverse coral ecosystems.

These coral reefs provide vital benefits, including sustaining habitats for fish and marine life, supporting tourism and buffering the harmful impacts of hurricanes and storm surge on coastal communities. Panelists will provide the latest update on the coral reef status, what NOAA and partners are doing to protect these valuable reefs and what the public can do to help.

WHO:

Steve Thur, Ph.D., NOAA assistant administrator for Oceanic & Atmospheric Research

Derek Manzello, Ph.D., coordinator, NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program

Andy Bruckner, Ph.D., research coordinator, NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Ian Enochs, Ph.D., research ecologist, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory

WHAT:
– Media conference call (slides will accompany call, see below)
– Presentations
– Media questions and answers

HOW:

1. Working media may dial into the conference call:
• 888-889-6573 U.S./Canada (toll-free)
• 1-312-470-7142 International (toll)
• Verbal passcode: CORAL

2. Download a pdf of slides for the press conference.

Additional resources on coral and marine heat waves:

NOAA Stories:

The ongoing marine heat waves in U.S. waters, explained

Rising Ocean Temps Raise New Concerns for Coral Reefs: Q&A with Derek Manzello

NOAA and partners race to rescue remaining Florida corals from historic ocean heat wave

Cheeca Rocks Reef Completely Bleached

FKNMS/ Mission: Iconic Reefs Marine Heat Wave and Coral Bleaching Response FAQs

Mission: Iconic Reefs Relocates Thousands of Corals Amidst Record Heatwave

NOAA Online Resources:

NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide

Marine Heatwaves : Current ocean maps, forecasts of heatwaves, & interactive tools from NOAA’s Physical Sciences Laboratory