The percentage of coral cover over the Northern Caribbean remains generally low in comparison to pre-1960s status, with an average of approximately 20%. Some sites in most countries of the node have high coral cover of 30-50%, whereas other sites are much lower, 3-10%. There has been little change in Bermuda since 2002, while Jamaica reports modest improvement and Cayman shows some decline since 1997. In other countries there is no evidence of either a decline or improvement since 2002. Data were obtained from Haiti for the first time. The causes of coral mortality in the region include disease (Bahamas, Cuba), bleaching (Cayman), pollution (near Havana, Cuba) and overgrowth by algae (Cuba). All countries continue to report significant threats to coral reefs including: local impacts such as over-fishing and land-based sources of pollution; and regional or global factors such as coral bleaching and disease. Over-fishing is considered to be the major cause of the high cover of macro-algae on these reefs because of the removal of herbivorous fishes such as parrotfish and doctorfish. Fishing intensity, however, varies considerably over the region, with the lowest in Bermuda and Cayman, and highest in Jamaica and Haiti. National capacity to implement and enforce fisheries regulations appears inversely proportional to fishing intensity. Most countries have adequate legislation (with significant exceptions) but enforcement is inadequate or lacking. Many MPAs lack adequate management. Although progress in coastal management is being made in most countries, poor financial resources often impede the implementation of laws and policies.