ICRS International Coral Reef Society
LightNews LightNews
banner
icrs.bsky.social
ICRS International Coral Reef Society
@icrs.bsky.social
1.2K followers 410 following 95 posts
Principal association of coral reef scientists, managers, and enthusiasts worldwide. To promote acquisition & dissemination of scientific knowledge to secure coral reefs for future generations through reserach, education, policy. linktr.ee/icrs.links
Posts Replies Media Videos
icrs.bsky.social
⏳ Final Call for Abstracts: Don't Miss Your Chance!

Just a friendly reminder that the Call for Abstracts for the 16th International Coral Reef Symposium is still open! Submissions are invited under our approved sessions, all aligned with the eight broad Symposium themes.
November 17, 2025 at 9:01 AM
icrs.bsky.social
1/3 Participate in the online workshop “Confronting Parachute Science in Ocean Conservation and Research”, led by Dr. Asha de Vos 🌊

🗓️ November 19, 2025 | 14:00–16:00 UTC
🔗 Register now via the QR code or at tinyurl.com/icrssecc
November 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
icrs.bsky.social
🌍✨ Join ICRS at COP30 in Belém, Brazil! ✨🌍 As the world gathers to take decisive climate action, the ICRS will be hosting a series of events that spotlight the ocean’s vital role in our shared future. 🌊💙
#COP30 #ICRS #ClimateAction #CoralReefs #Belém2025
November 9, 2025 at 8:03 AM
icrs.bsky.social
Meet the ICRS Communications Team 🪸

These are the people behind the society’s social media accounts and the Coral-List! You’ll also discover each team member’s favorite coral.

We’d love to hear from you too, share your favorite coral in the comments below!

#ICRS #CoralReefs #MarineBiology
Cover image with a dark blue background featuring a brain coral pattern. At the top, the text reads "International Coral Reef Society." In the center, there is a lighter blue horizontal band. On the left side of the band is the ICRS logo, which shows a brain coral in the lower left and a school of fish in the upper right. On the right side of the band, the text reads "Meet Our Team." Below the logo and central text, the word "Communications" is displayed. The background has a light blue tone with a faint brain coral pattern. At the top of the page, the text reads "International Coral Reef Society," accompanied by the ICRS logo, which shows a brain coral in the lower left and a school of fish in the upper right. Across the upper half of the page, there is a horizontal darker blue band separating the patterned background from the main portrait area. At the center of the page is a circular photo of C. Mark Eakin, who is smiling and wearing a brown t-shirt against a black background. Below his photo, in white text, it reads: “C. Mark Eakin.” Directly below this, in smaller white text, it reads: “Corals and Climate, USA,” and underneath that: “Favorite coral: Dendrogyra cylindrus.” To the right of this text is a photo of his favorite coral, showing Dendrogyra cylindrus forming cylindrical columns with a yellowish-orange coloration. Above the coral photo, in white text, it reads: “Photo by: Randall Spangler.” The background has a light blue tone with a faint brain coral pattern. At the top of the page, the text reads "International Coral Reef Society," accompanied by the ICRS logo, which shows a brain coral in the lower left and a school of fish in the upper right. Across the upper half of the page, there is a horizontal darker blue band separating the patterned background from the main portrait area. At the center of the page is a circular photo of Crystle Wee, who is smiling, wearing a diving suit, and holding a camera, with green plant leaves visible in the background. Below her photo, in white text, it reads: “Crystle Wee.” Directly below this, in smaller white text, it reads: “Australian Institute of Marine Science, James Cook University, and CORDAP,” and underneath that: “Favorite coral: Pocillopora acuta.” To the right of this text is a photo of her favorite coral, showing the cauliflower-shaped Pocillopora acuta with a brownish coloration. The background has a light blue tone with a faint brain coral pattern. At the top of the page, the text reads "International Coral Reef Society," accompanied by the ICRS logo, which shows a brain coral in the lower left and a school of fish in the upper right. Across the upper half of the page, there is a horizontal darker blue band separating the patterned background from the main portrait area. At the center of the page is a circular photo of Igor Pessoa, who is smiling, wearing a blue t-shirt, with a swimming pool and some palm trees visible in the background. Below his photo, in white text, it reads: “Igor Pessoa.” Directly below this, in smaller white text, it reads: “KAUST Beacon Development,” and underneath that: “Favorite coral: Platygyra daedalea.” To the right of this text is a photo of his favorite coral, showing a brain-shaped Platygyra daedalea with a brownish coloration. Above the coral photo, in white text, it reads: “Photo by: Emre Turak and Lyndon DeVantier.”
October 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
icrs.bsky.social
Meet the ICRS Officers 🌊

The ICRS is led by a volunteer team of Officers and a Council, each serving four-year terms with elections every 2 years.

In this post, we’re shining a spotlight on the Officers, a dedicated team helping steer the Society’s mission to advance coral reef science worldwide.
The cover image has a blue background with a brain coral pattern. In the center, there is the round ICRS logo, with a blue gradient background. Inside the logo, in the lower left, there is a drawing of a brain coral, and in the upper right, a drawing of a school of fish. Around the logo, centered, is the text in uppercase letters: "MEET THE ICRS OFFICERS". In the lower right corner of the page, there is a small ICRS logo, as previously described. The background has a light blue tone with a faint brain coral pattern. Across the upper half of the page, there is a horizontal darker blue band separating the patterned background from the main portrait area. At the center of the page is a circular photo of Christian R. Voolstra, who is smiling and wearing a black sweater. Below his photo, in uppercase white text, it reads:“CHRISTIAN R. VOOLSTRA” and directly underneath, “PRESIDENT.” Beneath that, in smaller white uppercase letters, it says: “UNIVERSITY OF KONSTANZ, GERMANY”. In the lower right corner of the page, there is a small ICRS logo, as previously described. The background has a light blue tone with a faint brain coral pattern. Across the upper half of the page, there is a horizontal darker blue band separating the patterned background from the main portrait area. At the center of the page is a circular photo of Tracy Ainsworth, who is smiling and wearing a beige vest over a black t-shirt. Below her photo, in uppercase white text, it reads: “TRACY AINSWORTH” and directly underneath, in the same style,“VICE-PRESIDENT/EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE CHAIR.” Beneath that, in smaller white uppercase letters, it says:“THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA”. In the lower right corner of the page, there is a small ICRS logo, as previously described. The background has a light blue tone with a faint brain coral pattern. Across the upper half of the page, there is a horizontal darker blue band separating the patterned background from the main portrait area. At the center of the page is a circular photo of C. Mark Eakin, who is smiling and wearing a brown t-shirt against a black background. Below his photo, in uppercase white text, it reads: “C. MARK EAKIN” and directly underneath, “CORRESPONDING SECRETARY AND COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE CHAIR.” Beneath that, in smaller white uppercase letters, it says:“CORALS AND CLIMATE, USA”. In the lower right corner of the page, there is a small ICRS logo, as previously described.
October 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
icrs.bsky.social
ICRS Darwin Medal Nominations due Dec. 15
The ICRS Darwin Medal is the Society’s highest recognition, awarded every four years to a distinguished late-career society member who has made significant scientific contributions recognized globally throughout their career. coralreefs.org/awards-honor...
October 20, 2025 at 7:41 PM
icrs.bsky.social
Welcome to the new ICRS account! The International Coral Reef Society (ICRS) was founded in 1980 and is the principal association to which coral reef scientists, managers and enthusiasts from across the world belong. Swipe to learn a bit more about us, our vision and our mission!
October 14, 2025 at 11:02 AM
icrs.bsky.social
COP30 Brazil has made coral reef conservation a priority, calling for global cooperation to reduce emissions, address local threats, and restore reefs. Let’s act now to protect these precious ecosystems for future generations!

#MutiraoCOP30 #CoralReefConservation #SaveOurReefs
October 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
icrs.bsky.social
📢 Meet our plenary speakers for ICRS 2026!

The 16th International Coral Reef Symposium will showcase a distinguished lineup of experts who are leaders in advancing coral reef science.

We look forward to seeing you in New Zealand!
October 8, 2025 at 10:01 AM
icrs.bsky.social
🎉 Announcing the ICRS 2024 Best Paper Awards!

After reviewing all 2024 publications, the Editorial Board selected an outstanding study that highlights the resilience of Indonesian reefs, the value of local-language science, and the need for more inclusive global research.
October 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
icrs.bsky.social
🌊✨ The John Ogden President’s Membership Award ✨🌊

The International Coral Reef Society (ICRS) is proud to announce the granting of 125 membership awards to coral reef scientists, managers, restoration practitioners, and policymakers from 30 developing nations!
September 25, 2025 at 11:01 AM
icrs.bsky.social
Call for abstracts now open at: www.icrs2026.nz/call-for-abs...

Submissions are invited under approved sessions aligned eight broad Symposium themes.

You may submit an abstract as:
- Oral presentation
- Speed talk
- Poster

Deadline: Monday 1 December 2025, 11.59pm (New Zealand time).
September 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
icrs.bsky.social
FINAL REMINDER: Call for session proposals

Tēnā koutou katoa,

This is a final reminder that the deadline for session proposals for the 16th International Coral Reef Symposium, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand closes next week, on Weds JULY 16th 2025. Details are below.
icrs.bsky.social ICRS International Coral Reef Society @icrs.bsky.social · Jun 5
1/6 Call for session proposals

16th International Coral Reef Symposium, 19–24th July 2026, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Session proposal deadline: Sunday 15th June 2025.
Details and submission link at www.icrs2026.nz/call-for-ses...
Call for Session Proposals
www.icrs2026.nz
July 8, 2025 at 9:13 PM
icrs.bsky.social
Our apologies that Graduate Research Fellowship recipient, J. David Muñoz-Maravilla, University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico, was left off the list sent yesterday. Congratulations David!
icrs.bsky.social ICRS International Coral Reef Society @icrs.bsky.social · Jun 11
The recipients of the 2025 ICRS Graduate Research Fellowships are Eleanor Casement, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Germany; Mu-Han Chen, Boston Univ; Ninon Martinez, Boston Univ; Marcelina Martynek, Univ of Pennsylvania; Manuja Promodya Hendawitharana, Gent Univ.
June 12, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Reposted by ICRS International Coral Reef Society
erinsikorsky.bsky.social
Unfortunately, turning off climate.gov won't turn off climate change.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Major US climate website likely to be shut down after almost all staff fired
Exclusive: Climate.gov, which supports public education on climate science, will soon no longer publish new content
www.theguardian.com
June 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
icrs.bsky.social
The Officers and Council of the International Coral Reef Society are pleased to announce the 2025 ICRS Award Winners:
June 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
icrs.bsky.social
1/6 Call for session proposals

16th International Coral Reef Symposium, 19–24th July 2026, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Session proposal deadline: Sunday 15th June 2025.
Details and submission link at www.icrs2026.nz/call-for-ses...
Call for Session Proposals
www.icrs2026.nz
June 5, 2025 at 12:22 PM
icrs.bsky.social
1/6 Call for session proposals

16th International Coral Reef Symposium, 19–24th July 2026, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Session proposal deadline: Sunday 15th June 2025.
Details and submission link at www.icrs2026.nz/call-for-ses...
Call for Session Proposals
www.icrs2026.nz
May 5, 2025 at 9:22 PM
icrs.bsky.social
ICRS is pleased to announce that it is providing up to *ONE HUNDRED John Ogden President's Membership Award* for coral reef practitioners that are citizens of *low *and *middle income* nations.
Nomination form at <https://forms.gle/eJXoZGYa8Wb2tp3z7>
April 30, 2025 at 1:41 PM
icrs.bsky.social
Stand up for science. Learn how to help at  Savesciencenow.org.
April 30, 2025 at 1:11 PM
icrs.bsky.social
The latest issue of REEF ENCOUNTER (#56), the International Coral Reef Society's magazine, was published recently, and can now be downloaded without cost (including by non-Society members) from the Society's website at coralreefs.org/society-publ...
April 25, 2025 at 6:12 PM
icrs.bsky.social
84% of the world’s coral reefs hit by worst bleaching event on record www.nbcnews.com/science/clim...
84% of the world’s coral reefs hit by worst bleaching event on record
Harmful bleaching of the world’s coral has grown following the most intense event of its kind in recorded history.
www.nbcnews.com
April 25, 2025 at 1:44 PM
icrs.bsky.social
The worst bleaching event ever is underway and it's unclear when, or perhaps if, it will end. 84% of the world's coral reefs hit by worst bleaching event on record apnews.com/article/cora...
84% of the world's coral reefs hit by worst bleaching event on record
Harmful bleaching of the world’s coral has now grown to include 84% of the ocean’s reefs in the most intense event of its kind in recorded history.
apnews.com
April 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
icrs.bsky.social
Reminder: ICRS Award applications are due this week!
icrs.bsky.social ICRS International Coral Reef Society @icrs.bsky.social · Feb 6
It’s ICRS Awards time! Are you a post graduate student or early career scientist looking to support your research? Check out our Graduate Fellowships and Ruth Gates Fellowships. Deadline March 15. Details on these Fellowships and more exciting awards at: coralreefs.org/awards-and-h...
Awards, Honors & Fellowships - International Coral Reef Society
coralreefs.org
March 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
icrs.bsky.social
To increase fairness and inclusivity, we made changes to several awards last year, including acknowledging broader contributions to coral reef science and conservation, and increasing time frames for career breaks and non-linear career pathways. More at: coralreefs.org/awards-and-h...
Awards, Honors & Fellowships - International Coral Reef Society
coralreefs.org
March 3, 2025 at 8:04 PM