Bright spots are typically found in the Pacific Ocean.
Mark Tupper
Bright spots are typically found in the Pacific Ocean.

Researchers have discovered a handful of “bright spots” among the world’s embattled coral reefs, offering the promise of a radical new approach to conservation.

In one of the largest global studies of its kind, researchers including University of Washington professor Edward Allison reviewed more than 6,000 reef surveys in 46 countries across the globe, and discovered 15 bright spots—places where, against all odds, there were a lot more fishes on coral reefs than expected.

“This allows us to focus on these areas to learn lessons which might help conserve or restore other reefs, a particularly urgent task given the mounting pressure from global change,” Allison said.

The study was published June 15 in Nature. Nearly 40 scientists from 34 different universities and conservation groups conducted the research.

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