A kit for D.I.Y. reef monitoring: Simple technology for the assessment of coral health

1. A kit for D.I.Y. reef monitoring:Simple technology for the assessment of coral health N.J. Marshall1, U.E. Siebeck1, K.A. Jennings1, & O. Hoegh-Guldberg2 1 VTHRC, School of Biomedical Sciences, UQ 2 Centre for Marine Studies, UQ

2. $$ $$ Socio-Economic Value of Coral reefs • If current trends in coral bleaching continues as predicted, coral reefs around the world maybe largely dead in 50 years. • This would be an economic disaster for Australia • Tourism industry collapse worth $4629 million annually • Fisheries industry collapse worth $359 million annually • 100 million people loose their dietary supply and require aid • Building & Pharmaceutical, reef generated income annually • Coastline protection from storm damage, flooding and erosion $$ $$ Values from Productivity Commission, Canberra 2002

3. Heron May 2002 Healthy coral What is coral bleaching? • Loss of symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) • Leads to coral starvation and possible death! Heron March 2002 Bleached coral

4. Coral bleaching effects worldwide In1998 16% of the world’s coralreefs died due to a mass bleachingevent! Global warminghas been found to be the major cause ofthe massive bleaching events observed inrecent years. Seatemperatures are predicted to continue torise and thus bleaching is expected tooccur more and more frequently in thefuture leaving no time for completerecovery. This will lead to the death oflarge areas of coral reefsworldwide within a few decades and the collapse of tourism and fisheries industries worth hundreds of billions of $$$$$

5. Coral Colour Charts - world’s first D.I.Y. method of assessing bleaching • This can be done by non experts such as tourists • It can be done reef-walking, snorkelling or diving • Data collected by anyone helps the scientists • Using Coral Health Monitoring ChartsTM is ecologically sound

6. How coral colour charts work Specially designed colours that scientifically indicate the concentration of symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) and represent the condition of the coral’s health. Recovered, May 2002 Bleached, March 2002 Recovered, May 2002 Bleached, March 2002

7. Results of coral monitoring 1) Repeated measurements of specific colonies 2)‘Fingerprinting’ different reefs • 100 random corals during and after the 2002 bleaching on Heron Island. • Corals are significantly lighter in March compared to July. • 20 marked corals on the Heron Island reef flat. • Bleached coral in March 2002 are lighter. • May onwards there was no significant difference. • September a rainstorm resulted in bleaching of both, previously healthy and bleached colonies.

8. Interactive website where you can see results of your work www.coralwatch.org

9. The Coral Watch activity will be marketed to resorts as a complete package. The Coral Watch activity includes: -instructional video -coral colour charts -interactive website -information pamphlets -display posters -guidelines for implementation -cheap to produce Footage to be shown on Catalyst at end of 2003

10. Heron Island tourist trial a SUCCESS! • Heron runs coral health reef walks solely dedicated to CoralWatch • Tourist guide gives instruction and support during the activity • Heron’s coral health reef walks are a success with near 200 participants in the first 3 months!

11. Eco-friendly activity that gives tourists and resorts a ‘good feeling’ for helping the reefs Data is used to monitor reefs and provide education about social impacts

12. Summary • Coral reefs are dying from coral bleaching • Coral Colour Charts TM are a simple, cheap product • Eco-friendly activity • Activity provides valuable data to scientists • Sense of good will for both tourist and resorts • Product is tried and tested

13. Thank you • CRC for sustainable tourism for funding • The University of Queensland • P&O Heron Island Resort • Heron Island Research Station • See poster displays