The Caribbean Coral Health Forum

Finding Solutions - Sharing Knowledge

The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund was thrilled to announce the launch of the Caribbean Coral Health Forum (CCHF) at COP-16 on October 25 in Cali, Colombia.

The CCHF served as a vital platform for CBF beneficiaries—our grantees and partners—as well as coral reef conservationists and enthusiasts. Together, we shared insights and experiences on the pressing issue of coral health in the Caribbean, particularly in light of recent mass coral bleaching events caused by unprecedented sea surface temperature increases, as well as challenges like Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD).

The Launch of the Caribbean Coral Health Forum

The CBF officially launched the Caribbean Coral Health Forum at COP16 at a side event co-organized in collaboration with the Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS). The event is part of the ‘#ForCoral Pavilion that is setting the course to achieve the Biodiversity Plan for coral reefs and associated ecosystems and is hosted by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI).

How does the Caribbean Coral Health Forum work?

Our goal? To collaborate on adaptive solutions that can help combat coral bleaching and enhance the resilience of our precious reefs.

The Forum consists of a WhatsApp group and an email newsletter. The WhatsApp group is a dedicated space to discuss and share experiences with the recent, mass coral bleaching events, triggered by unprecedented high sea surface temperatures, as well as other coral health matters, such as Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). We will also keep you up to date on upcoming events and initiatives that we may be collaborating on.

Caribbean Coral Health Forum September 2025 Edition

Launched by the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund in October 2024, the Forum connects scientists, conservationists, community members, and coral enthusiasts across the region to share knowledge and collaborate on protecting Caribbean reefs. Our growing network—currently linked through a WhatsApp group—exchanges insights on coral health challenges such as mass bleaching and Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease.

This quarterly newsletter highlights research, field updates, regional initiatives, events, and opportunities to get involved. In this first edition, discover coral restoration in Saint Lucia, micro-fragmentation in Jamaica, a call for assisted coral migration, disease monitoring in the Dominican Republic, and new tools shaping the future of coral conservation.

Beerland Farm Ryal

Catastrophic Coral Bleaching in the Caribbean – Now is the Time for a Regional Approach to Scale-Up Coral Restoration

  • CARIBBEAN CORAL HEALTH FORUM
  • September 2, 2025
READ MORE
Micro-fragmentation training session in Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary. From Left to right: Francesca Russel (Marine Biologist, White River Fish Sanctuary), Jerlene Layne (Manager, Boscobel Marine Sanctuary), Ian Dawson (Coral Gardener, Oracabessa Trust), Bay Fish Sanctuary), Jhahneal James (Manager, Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary), Ray Grant ( Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary | Photo By: Travis Graham

Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary Implements Micro-fragmentation to Accelerate the Reestablishment of Coral Nurseries

  • CARIBBEAN CORAL HEALTH FORUM
  • September 2, 2025
READ MORE
AGRRA trainees and trainers. | Photo Credit: Oracabessa Marine Trust

Oracabessa Marine Trust: Strengthening the Capacity of Jamaica’s National Marine Protected Areas Network for Rapid Reef Assessments to Support Coral Reef Management

  • CARIBBEAN CORAL HEALTH FORUM
  • August 14, 2025
READ MORE
Puntacana Foundation and FUNDEMAR | Photo Credit: Tomas Chaverra and Michael Del Rosario-FUNDEM

CoralCarib: Advancing Climate-Resilient Coral Restoration in the Dominican Republic

  • CARIBBEAN CORAL HEALTH FORUM
  • August 13, 2025
READ MORE
Conservation technicians conducting AGRRA survey. | Photo Credit: Samuel King

Dominican Republic Coral Reef Monitoring Effort Yields Critical Conservation Insights

  • CARIBBEAN CORAL HEALTH FORUM
  • August 13, 2025
READ MORE
Photo by Tanja Lieuw, CBF

Anse Chastanet Saint Lucia Reef Restorations Updates

  • CARIBBEAN CORAL HEALTH FORUM
  • August 13, 2025
READ MORE

Publications

MONITOREA: A guide for an integrated monitoring network of marine Coastal ecosystems in the Dominican Republic
Coral reef and seagrass monitoring in the Dominican Republic in 2024. | Photo: Marvin del Cid
  • Publication Date: December 2024
  • Author (s): Rita I. Sellares Blasco & Aldo Croquer
  • Publication Title: MONITOREA: Integrating the assessment of marine-coastal ecosystems for their conservation and management. Monitoring manual and practical protocols guide
  • Publication Link
  • Authors: International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)
  • Description: The #ForCoral Webinar series serves as a platform for dialogue, exchange of ideas, and dissemination of best practices in coral reef conservation and management
  • Publication Link
  • Publication Date: April 2024
  • Author (s): The Nature Conservancy, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism with support from the United Nations Environmental Program
  • Description: This useful guide walks businesses, governments and communities through key steps and practices they can undertake to effectively manage, protect and renew coral reefs. The guide was developed with the input of the industry and the scientific community
  • Publication Link
  • Author (s): Aldo Croquer, Someira Zambrano, Samuel King, Daniel Reyes, Rita Sellares, Andreina Valdez, Maria Villapando, Yira Rodriguez, Estefany Vargas, Camilo Cortés, Macarena Blanco, Johanna Calle, Rebecca García, Ana C. Hernándezt, Ruben Torres, Iker Irazabal, Laura Diaz, Dorka Evangelista, and Emy Miyazawa
  • Description: SCTLD and other diseases impact reef builders in the Dominican Republic, with regional variations highlighting the need for long-term monitoring and response strategies.
  • Publication Link: Research Gate

Sign up and Choose Your Platform

STEP 1

Complete the signup form and share your interest in coral health and restoration.

Select your platform. Do you prefer to receive a quarterly email newsletter? Or would a WhatsApp group work better for you? Both is also an option.

Join the conversation in the Caribbean Coral Health Forum!!

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