NCCOS researchers recently trained partners in Puerto Rico to collect fish and coral data for the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program, a core component of NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. Thirty scientists received classroom and in-water practical instruction and are now prepared to participate in reef surveys planned throughout Puerto Rico in 2014.

The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program conducts biological, physical, and socioeconomic monitoring in all U.S. coral reef jurisdictions. NCCOS co-leads the program's biological monitoring component in the Atlantic and the Caribbean. Monitoring data will provide information about the status and trends of environmental conditions, living reef resources, and the people and processes that interact with coral reefs.

NCCOS diver leads training on coral measurements.

Partner agencies involved, include: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the University of Puerto Rico, Department of Marine Sciences; HJR Reefscaping; and the University of the Virgin Islands.

For more information, contact Randy.Clark@noaa.gov.