The management of coral reef fisheries has been hampered by insufficient knowledge of their physical and biological characteristics. However, the Earth Observing System (EOS), a sophisticated array of satellite sensors which will be available by the mid-1990's, will increase this knowledge to an unprecedented degree. While currently available satellite data are of only limited value for depths below a few meters, EOS's High-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (HIRIS) will offer data from more than 30 wavelength bands that penetrate seawater, thus enabling it to discriminate among groups of photosynthetic pigments, particulate content, and a variety of benthic fish habitats. Other EOS instruments will be useful in monitoring variability in the environments of coral reefs by quantifying wave heights, sea surface temperatures, solar incidence, precipitation, and a variety of other factors. However, the complexity of reefs and the volume and complexity of the data will require preparatory research on ways to automate the analyses. Because current information on the relationships between fish habitat variables and fishery production is limited, low-cost aerial verification survey methods are needed to enable coral reef scientists in developing countries to utilize EOS data. (Author abstract, modified).