The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) is a network of scientists, managers, and organisations monitoring the condition of coral reefs worldwide. It was established by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) in 1995. Its purpose is to provide the best available scientific information on the status and trends of coral reef ecosystems, aggregating data from national to regional and then global level.
The GCRMN works through ten regional networks, each with a regional coordinator, drawing together national networks, institutions, and individual contributors of data. Implementation is led by a Global Coordinator supported by a host institution, currently the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), with guidance from the GCRMN Steering Committee.
The Network’s flagship products are the production of the “Status of Coral Reefs of the World” series, further supplemented by regional assessments and thematic reports on the status, condition and impact of coral reefs.
Blue Pangolin Consulting’s engagement with the GCRMN has been long-standing and continuous, though its form has changed. From 2016 to the end of 2025, we supported the network through our role as ICRI’s Designated Administrative Representative, with the ICRI Secretariat sitting on the GCRMN Steering Committee and contributing to its coordination and implementation. Since 2026, we have worked directly under contract to AIMS, supporting the production, publication, and policy uptake of the network’s global reporting.
Francis has been a member of the GCRMN Steering Committee for many years and brings over 25 years of work with ICRI. Tom has worked across the network’s recent global and regional assessments as an editor and author.
Throughout this period, Blue Pangolin Consulting has worked with multiple financial supporters of the GCRMN, including the acquisition of funding. This includes the Government of Sweden, Government of Monaco, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (via the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation), UNEP and the MSC Foundation, amongst others.
The GCRMN’s Implementation and Governance Plan (IGP) became operational in January 2019 and sets the network’s goals, data standards, regional structures, and governance arrangements. Blue Pangolin Consulting contributed to its development through the ICRI Secretariat, and to its subsequent implementation, including the strengthening of regional coordination and the establishment of the network’s Task Forces.
Blue Pangolin Consulting has supported the last two global assessments of the world’s coral reefs.
Francis was an editor of the Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2020, the network’s sixth global report. Tom supported its launch, held at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille in September 2021.
Both are editors of the Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025, launched on 31 August 2026 in Palau. Drawing on 21.1 million observations from 87,299 surveys across 36,886 sites in 124 countries, territories, and economies, it is the most comprehensive assessment of coral reef status ever undertaken. It records a 9.5% relative decline in global hard coral cover against 1980 to 2009 levels, and a relative recovery of around 6% between 2017 and 2019, evidence that reefs can regain cover when disturbances ease and recovery time allows.
At the regional scale, Tom and Francis were editors of the Status and Trends of Coral Reefs of the Pacific: 1980 to 2023, launched at the Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025. The report drew on more than 15,000 surveys from over 8,000 sites, covering a region holding over 26% of the world’s coral reefs.
Tom contributed as an author to the Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs: 1970 to 2024, compiled by more than 300 scientists across 44 countries and territories, and closed the report’s launch webinar in December 2025.
Access the full catalogue of the GCRMN’s products.
Since 2026, Margaux is co-chairing the GCRMN Policy and Communications Taskforce, leading the policy-related workstreams, working alongside AIMS and an appointed communications specialist. The work translates the network’s scientific findings into decision-ready messaging, including the Global Summary for Policymakers, and coordinates policy inputs across GCRMN members, regional nodes, and partner institutions. This continues to March 2027, carrying the 2025 assessment into the conventions and processes where it can shape decisions.
Blue Pangolin Consulting’s role builds upon our extensive science-to-policy experience, including the development of previous policy-ready products in support of GCRMN reports.
In addition, Blue Pangolin Consulting has managed the GCRMN website, including its news output and the presentation of the network’s reports, regional pages, and data resources.
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