ICRS International Coral Reef Society
LightNews LightNews
banner
icrs.bsky.social
ICRS International Coral Reef Society
@icrs.bsky.social
1.2K followers 410 following 91 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
🌍✨ 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
October 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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
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 John Burt, who is smiling and wearing a beige blazer over a vertically striped purple dress shirt against a light background. Below his photo, in uppercase white text, it reads “JOHN BURT” and directly underneath, “TREASURER.” Beneath that, in smaller white uppercase letters, it says “NEW YORK UNIVERSITY ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES”. In the lower right corner of the page is a small ICRS logo, as described previously. 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 Mariana Rocha de Souza, who is smiling and wearing a dark blue t-shirt with white polka dots. Below her photo, in uppercase white text, it reads “MARIANA ROCHA DE SOUZA” and directly underneath, “RECORDING SECRETARY”. Beneath that, in smaller white uppercase letters, it says “HAWAII INSTITUTE OF MARINE BIOLOGY, USA.” In the lower right corner of the page is a small ICRS logo, as described previously. 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 Morgan Pratchett, who is smiling and wearing a black blazer over a white dress shirt. Below his photo, in uppercase white text, it reads: “MORGAN PRATCHETT” and directly underneath,“EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF ‘CORAL REEFS’.” Beneath that, in smaller white uppercase letters, it says:“JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA”. In the lower right corner of the page is a small ICRS logo, as described previously.
October 22, 2025 at 10:00 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
The recipient of the 2025 ICRS Science Communication Fellowship is Igor Pessoa, KAUST, Saudi Arabia
June 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
icrs.bsky.social
The winner of the 2025 ICRS World Reef Award is Ewout Knoester, Reefolution Kenya
June 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
icrs.bsky.social
The winner of the 2025 ICRS Coral Reef Conservation Award is Alma Paola Rodriguez-Troncosa, Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico
June 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
icrs.bsky.social
The winner of the 2025 ICRS Early Career Award is Daniel Wangpraseurt, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, USA
June 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
icrs.bsky.social
The winner of the 2025 ICRS Mid-Career Award is Raquel Peixoto, KAUST, Saudi-Arabia
June 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
icrs.bsky.social
The winner of the 2025 ICRS Eminence in Research Award is Sean Connolly, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama
June 11, 2025 at 12:38 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
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
Congratulations to the new ICRS Officers and Council members. Treasurer John Burt; Recording Secretary Mariana Rocha De Souza; Council Members Amy Apprill, Keisha Bahr, Ranjeet Bhagooli, Javier del Campo, Simon Harding, Maggie Johnson, Karen Neely, Alma Paola Rodriguez-Troncoso.
November 27, 2024 at 2:01 PM
icrs.bsky.social
@icrs.bsky.social and the organizers of ICRS_2022 from @unibremen.bsky.social established a new award to support green strategies for coral reef-related events. Each year (2024-2028) up to $10,000 will be awarded to the host institutions organizing such events. See coralreefs.org/sustainabili...
November 27, 2024 at 1:52 PM
icrs.bsky.social
It's time to make sure ICRS 2026 is on your calendar. The 16th International Coral Reef Symposium will be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from Sunday 19th to Friday 24th July 2026 www.icrs2026.nz
August 5, 2024 at 2:08 PM
icrs.bsky.social
The latest issue of Reef Encounter (#50, July 2024) is now available at the ICRS website coralreefs.org/wp-content/u...
July 30, 2024 at 8:45 PM