Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs: 1970-2024

The Caribbean is home to 10% of the world’s coral reefs (24,230 km2) across 44 countries and territories, sustaining millions of people by providing food security, coastal protection and supporting economies. Reefs are vital for the regional economy and are valued at USD $6.9 billion per year through fisheries, tourism another ecosystem services. Coral reefs provide critical value to over 11 million tourists each year, and account for 23% of all tourism spending; more than 10% of the Caribbean’s gross domestic product.

Yet, coral reefs are among the most vulnerable ecosystems due to escalating human pressures, and climate impacts which jeopardise these biodiversity hotspots and the livelihoods they support, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated action to protect their future.

The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) is an operational network of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) that aims to provide the best available scientific information on the status and trends of coral reef ecosystems for their conservation and management. The Status and Trends of Coral Reefs of the Caribbean: 1970–2024 offers the latest scientific assessment to date of the region’s coral reef health, revealing both alarming declines driven by climate change and local pressures, and encouraging signs of recovery where effective management and protection measures are in place.

This report, developed the GCRMN’s Caribbean Node provides policy-makers and conservation leaders with actionable insights and regionally relevant strategies to protect these ecosystems, essential for biodiversity, coastal protection, food security, and the resilience of Caribbean communities. The various components of the report can be downloaded at:

https://gcrmn.net/caribbean-2025