Everything You Need to Know about CoralWatch
CoralWatch, founded in 2002, is a non-profit, well-established citizen science program based at The University of Queensland, Australia.
They are committed to the maintenance and conservation of all coral reefs across the globe and are working hard with volunteers worldwide to ensure that present and future generations understand the importance of coral reefs and the impact of climate change!
The Coral Health Chart
CoralWatch provides accessible and educational health monitoring tools, aiming to increase the understanding of coral bleaching, along with other significant reef threats.
One of these tools is the Coral Health Chart.
The Coral Health Chart (the world’s first Do-it-Yourself method to monitor coral bleaching) was developed in 2002 by scientists Prof. Justin Marshall, Dr Uli Siebeck, Prof. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg and Dr Anke Kleuter.
The Chart is an incredibly simple, easy tool that monitors coral health by using sample colours and brightness variations to represent the different stages of bleaching and recovery. Users can then compare the colours of the corals with the ones on the chart and record the matching codes!
The Chart is available in 12 languages and enables anyone, whether it be businesses, divers, tourists, or even school children to help monitor coral reefs and add to the global database. Literally, anybody interested in conservation, professional and/or otherwise, can use it to collect valuable data and contribute to the efforts of a sustainable, low-carbon future.
The Mission
Collaborating with Project AWARE, CoralWatch focuses on three main areas to help spread the message - monitoring, education and outreach. They provide regular workshops for communities in order to raise public awareness of coral health and have even developed a range of high-quality educational materials including books and DVDs.
There is a vast, ever-growing network of volunteers all over the world, all actively helping to save the reefs by inputting their discovered data. CoralWatch then manages this data through an interactive online database, informing everyone about the most recent reef conditions worldwide.
Our reefs are extremely valuable and must be protected so if you found this blog interesting and would like to be involved, start by downloading a Do-it-Yourself kit! Simply head to CoralWatch – Citizen Science on the Reef and request the user-friendly Coral Health Chart.
Then you are free to start monitoring straight away!
I first learnt about CoralWatch, whilst actively scuba diving in Thailand, from friends down on Koh Tao. I fully believe in Project AWARE, and once I knew they were collaborating with CoralWatch I just knew I had to extend my support!
I hope you can also get behind this program!
