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Study sites designed for long-term monitoring of the condition of coral populations and water quality were established on the East and West Flower Garden Banks (northwest Gulf of Mexico) in 1988 and 1989. Coral cover, relative dominance, diversity, evenness, and accretionary and encrusting growth rates were monitored semi-annually through 1991. Several differences existed between study sites, particularly with respect to diversity and evenness, but these do not necessarily imply differences between the banks. No significant trends were observed in any parameters during the study. Comparison with data from population and growth studies conducted between 1978 and 1982 suggest no significant long-term trends. Monitoring of the occurrence and effects of coral bleaching (the expulsion of symbiotic algae essential to vigorous growth) and diseases suggests that disease was the more important cause of …