Corals Week 2016

Celebrate the beauty and importance of coral reef ecosystems

The benthic flora and fauna holds quite the diversity at the appropriately named Clam Gardens, inside Kingman Reef part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. Photo courtesy of NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program

Don't Give Corals as Gifts

Corals are popular as souvenirs, for home decor and in costume jewelry, yet corals are living animals that eat, grow, and reproduce. It takes corals decades or longer to create reef structures, so leave corals and other marine life on the reef.

Pearl and Hermes Atoll lies about 216 nautical miles east-southeast of Midway Atoll and approximately 1,080 nautical miles northwest of Honolulu. It is a huge oval coral reef within several internal reefs.

Reef Resilience

Just as people tend to get sick when under stress, so do corals. If local stressors to coral reefs are reduced, the corals have a better chance of resisting or recovering from a stressful event such as bleaching. In this way, the reefs are more resilient.

Science for Local Decisions

The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program delivers sound scientific information and tools that coastal and marine resource managers need to effectively address the primary threats coral reef ecosystems face.

divers in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Take Action

Even if you live far from coral reefs, you can have an impact on reef health and conservation. Learn more about what you can do to support healthy coral reefs.

Did you know?

Corals are sessile animals, which means that they permanently attach themselves to the ocean floor, essentially "taking root" like most plants do. It's no wonder that many people think corals are plants!

Learn More

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