The University of Queensland is backing a program aimed at tracking the health of coral reefs around the world.
CoralWatch is a program based around a cheap, simple and non-invasive method for the monitoring of coral bleaching, and assessment of coral health.
Initially funded by UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC, through his Strategic Initiatives Fund, Professor Hay has allocated more funding this year to increase the reach of the project from the Great Barrier Reef to reefs around the world.
Developed by Professor Justin Marshall, from UQ’s Vision Touch and Hearing Research Centre, he said CoralWatch had grown into an important resource of coral health data since the organisation was established in 2001.
“Our Coral Health Chart is basically a series of sample colours, with variation in brightness representing different stages of bleaching or recovery, based on controlled experiments,” Professor Marshall said.
“The charts can be used by anyone – scientists, school children, tourists even politicians.
“In the field, people simply compare colours of corals with colours on the chart and record matching codes.
“It is our aim to both provide a scientific tool and increase awareness about global warming by demonstrating one of its devastating effects.”
Professor Hay said the CoralWatch program was a great example of university research that could be applied in a simple way to benefit the wider community.
“Reefs around the world are a valuable asset that needs to be monitored and cherished,” Professor Hay said.
“By supporting such an important program we hope to help, in small way, to preserve these natural wonders for future generations.”
Professor Marshall said there were already 650 groups involved in monitoring reef around the world and he hoped to get the educational kits out to 15,000 schools in the near future.
The CoralWatch program is also supported by Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre and recently formed a partnership with Project AWARE, a non-profit environmental organisation dedicated to conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.
Project AWARE works in partnership with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the world's largest diver training organization, and will distribute the CoralWatch kits to divers and dive centres around the world to further develop awareness of reef issues worldwide.
Media inquiries: Professor Justin Marshall (+61 7 3365 1397 or 0423 024162) or Andrew Dunne at UQ Communications (+61 7 3365 2802 or 0433 364 181).
