Coral Reef Wildlife Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Coral reef degradation displaces and kills enormous numbers of marine animals. Restoration programmes can rebuild welfare-positive habitats.

Key Facts

Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor but support approximately 25% of all marine species
Bleaching events caused by ocean warming have devastated reef systems globally
The Great Barrier Reef experienced mass bleaching in 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022 and 2024
Reef degradation displaces fish and invertebrate species that evolved for reef habitats
Coral gardening programmes grow and transplant coral fragments to damaged reef areas
Some restoration techniques can achieve 80-90% coral survival rates
Reducing local stressors including runoff and overfishing gives reefs resilience to climate impacts

Welfare Considerations

Coral reef degradation causes suffering and death for the billions of individual animals that depend on reef habitat. The welfare dimension of reef loss has received less attention than species extinction and fisheries impacts. Reef restoration is both a conservation and a welfare intervention, enabling populations to express natural behaviours, feed, and reproduce in complex habitat.

What You Can Do

Support coral reef restoration and conservation organisations with donations
Reduce your carbon footprint to slow ocean warming and acidification
Avoid purchasing coral reef souvenirs or wild-caught reef fish
Choose reef-safe sunscreens and avoid chemicals that damage coral when swimming on reefs