Reef Solutions | WHOI
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Science + Innovation to Save Coral Reefs
Our team is tackling the coral reef crisis with every tool in its
Toolkit
Support our work
Taking Action
Half the world’s coral reefs have disappeared in the last 70 years—and the rest could be gone by 2100 if we don’t take action
Developing Solutions
We're working to rebuild reefs and improve coral resilience—before it’s too late.
Diagnostics & Intervention
Since 2021, we’ve applied our Toolkit to reefs in the US Virgin Islands—and now we're taking it around the world!
Robotics
Map coral cover + condition
Collect biodiversity + invasive species data
Early warning system for bleaching
Bioacoustics
Attract coral larvae
Sound-based health diagnostics
Understand fisheries+ ecosystem health
Advanced Diagnostics
Monitor coral health
Determine water quality
Examine chemical + microbial signs of stress
Hydrodynamics
Map currents + temperature
Predict coral larval transport + settlement
Model + forecast environmental changes
Identify + prioritize restoration sites
Health Interventions
Coral probiotics
Vitamin supplements
Metabolomics to diagnose+ treat disease
Reef Solutions Around the World
We’re bringing our research from the US Virgin Islands to vulnerable reefs around the world.
Mouse over to find out where we’re going next– and how we’re working with partners to give reefs a chance.
Little Cayman
Little Cayman
Status:
Relatively high coral cover, but recently declining due to bleaching and Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease
Partners:
Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI)
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics, Health Interventions + Hydrodynamics, Acoustics
Testing how reef sites impact coral microbiomes + coral health
Aiding coral larvae recruitment with sounds of a healthy reef
High-resolution hydrodynamic modeling to target interventions
Training new scientific divers to administer Reef Solutions
Maui
Maui, Hawaii
Status:
Declining coral cover and increasing prevalence of disease
Partners:
Maui Ocean Center, The Nature Conservancy, NOAA Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
Reef Solutions:
Bioacoustics + Interventions
Aiding coral larvae recruitment with sounds of a healthy reef
Quantifying substrates that can support new coral growth
Bahamas
Bahamas
Status:
Severely damaged by hurricanes, coral bleaching, coastal development, and diseases like Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. Overfishing and pollution are accelerating shifts toward algal-dominated communities
Partners:
not yet identified
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics
Testing water quality
Assessing reef health through chemical and microbial analysis
St. John
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Status:
Protected from development but declining due to disease and bleaching
Partners:
University of Virgin Islands, National Park Service, Caribbean Oceanic Restoration and Education Foundation (CORE)
Reef Solutions:
Health Interventions, Robotics, Bioacoustics, Advanced Diagnostics
Promoting disease resistance with nutrient + beneficial biofilms
Biodiversity mapping + soundscapes with advanced robotics
Aiding coral larvae recruitment with sounds of a healthy reef
Advanced water quality monitoring
Antigua
Antigua
Status:
Drastic losses in coral cover, especially endangered elkhorn corals; increased accumulation of sargassum (macroalgae); increasing coastal development
Partners:
Elkhorn Marine Conservancy
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics + Restoration
Advanced water quality testing of reefs, nurseries, and restoration sites
Reviewing coral planting strategies to enhance reef restoration success
Dominica
Dominica
Status: I
mpacted by sedimentation, pollution, and fishing, which has resulted in declines in coral cover and fish diversity
Partners:
Oceans Forward Dominica
Reef Solutions:
Scaling Solutions
Adapting more user-friendly research tools
Training partners to use reef monitoring tools
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Status:
Healthy reef, with high coral cover and diversity
Partners:
Ocean Exploration Trust, R/V Nautilus, National Geographic Society
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics
Creating baseline for a reef health index
Papau New Guinea
Papau New Guinea
Status:
Healthy and renowned for its biodiversity
Partners :
Not yet identified
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics
Creating baseline for a reef health index
Fiji
Fiji
Status:
Partners:
Not yet identified
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics
Creating baseline for a reef health index
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
Status:
In recovery, following years of nuclear testing. High biodiversity reefs.
Partners:
Not yet identified
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics
Creating baseline for a reef health index
Micronesia
Micronesia
Status:
Healthy + highly diverse, offering an opportunity to explore the connections between diversity and coral health
Partners:
Not yet identified
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics
Creating baseline for a reef health index
Palua
Palau
Status :
Partners :
Not yet identified
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics
Creating baseline for a reef health index
Nicobar
Nicobar Island
Status:
High diversity coral reefs.
Partners:
In development
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics
Creating baseline for a reef health index
Malaysia
Malaysia
Status:
High diversity coral reefs
Partners:
Wee Cheah, University of Malaysia
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics
Creating baseline for a reef health index
Chagos
Chagos Archipelago
Status:
High diversity coral reefs
Partners:
Not yet identified.
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics
Creating baseline for a reef health index
N Mariana Islands
Northern Mariana Islands
Status:
Healthy
Partners:
Not yet identified
Reef Solutions:
Advanced Diagnostics:
Creating baseline for a reef health index
“If coral reefs are going to survive, they need people to understand the problems, science to develop solutions, and technology to scale up the solutions to reach all reefs. We’re implementing a plan to help corals in crisis– and with your support, give reefs a chance.”
Amy Apprill
WHOI Microbial Ecologist
Lead, Reef Solutions Initiative
Reef Solutions Top Stories
December 1, 2025
Underwater ‘reef music’ could help in coral restoration
Few ecosystems are struggling more than coral reefs. They’re facing a variety of threats like warmer temperatures, pollution and overfishing….
October 29, 2025
Species-level Detection and Tracking of Caribbean Coral Reef Fish
June 10, 2025
The Race to Engineer Coral Reef Solutions in the U.S. Virgin Islands
January 8, 2025
New study highlights the correlation between live corals and fishing yields
December 4, 2024
PBS Nova Building Stuff: Change It!
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