Bleached corals are less likely to spawn, a huge cause for concern in Florida after a severe bleaching event recently. But after monitoring last year’s split-spawn activity, we discovered that there still may be hope for a recovery.

An unprecedented marine heat wave has triggered a catastrophic mass-bleaching event on the Florida Reef Tract. The Keys’ coral reef ecosystem is suffering intense, quick bleaching and/or dieoff of corals, sponges, anemones and other marine life.