University of Miami Launches New Coral Reef Governance Research

Study will analyze effectiveness of Florida's Coral Reef Restoration Partnership (FCRRP) to enhance reef resilience strategies.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 4:52am

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The University of Miami is launching new research on the governance of Florida's Coral Reef, one of the largest barrier reefs globally. The study will systematically document the development and current configuration of the Florida Coral Reef Restoration Partnership (FCRRP), assess its effectiveness as a governance system, and offer evidence-based recommendations to enhance its performance and outcomes.

Why it matters

As Florida's Coral Reef faces increased environmental pressures, robust governance is essential for ensuring its long-term resilience. This research employs social science to analyze the governance processes and structures that affect reef resilience, which is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of coral reef conservation.

The details

Traditionally, coral reef research in Florida has concentrated on natural science perspectives. However, this new initiative will take a multidisciplinary approach, utilizing social science to better understand the FCRRP as an innovative public-private partnership that coordinates expertise, resources, and decision-making across multiple jurisdictions at a large ecosystem scale. The researchers will adopt a knowledge co-production approach, collaborating closely with FCRRP leadership and partners throughout the project to ensure that findings inform decision-making.

  • The research project was launched in March 2026.

The players

Robert K. Johnson Center for Marine Conservation at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science

The research will be overseen by the director of this center, who is a leading expert in polycentric ocean governance.

Florida Coral Reef Restoration Partnership (FCRRP)

An innovative public-private partnership that coordinates expertise, resources, and decision-making across multiple jurisdictions to manage Florida's Coral Reef.

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What they’re saying

“There have been studies of polycentric governance in other major reef systems in Australia, Palau, and Hawai'i, for example, but comparable research focusing on Florida's Coral Reef, one of the largest barrier reefs globally, has been notably lacking.”

— Rebecca Gruby, Director of the Robert K. Johnson Center for Marine Conservation at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science

“We are in a crucial moment for coral reef governance in Florida and globally. This project is an exciting opportunity to leverage social science research to support reef governance in Florida and share lessons learned with communities around the world facing similar challenges.”

— Rebecca Gruby, Director of the Robert K. Johnson Center for Marine Conservation at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science

The takeaway

This research initiative represents a shift in coral reef conservation efforts, moving beyond traditional natural science approaches to also examine the critical role of governance in ensuring the long-term resilience of Florida's Coral Reef. The findings from this study have the potential to inform and improve coral reef management strategies not only in Florida, but in other reef systems around the world facing similar environmental challenges.