Adaptive governance during an unprecedented marine heatwave: case study from the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

In 2023, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) faced its most severe marine heatwave on record, lasting from June to October. This event necessitated the first-ever mass evacuation of corals as part of the ongoing efforts under the Mission Iconic Reef project, aimed at restoring the coral reefs after decades of decline. This study examines how FKNMS stakeholders, including managers and conservationists, responded to the heatwave. Through interviews with stakeholders, our findings highlight a rapid coordinated effort that mitigated some immediate impacts of the heatwave. Stakeholders described that despite these efforts, the marine heatwave had significant adverse effects, leading to coral and fish mortalities, increased human-wildlife conflicts with sea turtles, and declines in the health of birds and dolphins. This study underscores the critical need for enhanced understanding of, and preparation for, emergency events in marine conservation, particularly as climate change increases their frequency.