Crisis sentinel indicators: Averting a potential meltdown in the Coral Triangle

► A set of Crisis Sentinel Indicators (CSI) was used to analyze the state of the Coral Triangle (CT). ► A Pressure-State-Response analysis was used to discuss local state of affairs of the CT. ► Five of the CT6 have low governance ratings and poor socioeconomic conditions. ► The future socioecological state of the CT highly depends on timely actions of the CT6 governments. ► The proposed indicators will gauge the development of states, drivers and responses of the CT.