Diseases of corals and other organisms are having significant negative impacts on the structure and appearance of coral reefs. The incidences of coral diseases and bleaching are strongly believed to be increasing. Through funding from UNEP, initial surveys were conducted throughout the Caribbean, involving various countries from the CARICOMP Network; Barbados, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico (Mona Island) and Trinidad and Tobago.

The disease surveys were carried out using one of two protocols outlined in the CARICOMP Manual.  These surveys were conducted so as to assess the occurrence (incidences at the population levels) and local/geographic distribution of coral and octocoral diseases across the wider Caribbean region. The results were summarized and documented in a comprehensive report edited by Ernesto Weil.