2008/09 Annual Report - Reef Check Australia

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Project reports Great Barrier Reef project report – Dr Marie-Lise Schläppy The objectives of the 2008/09 season were to survey 25 dive sites and develop communication materials for dive operators. Our target for community capacity building of training 16 new surveyors was well over-achieved, with 31 new volunteers completing the course this year. In fact, in only just over four months, our volunteer teams completed surveys on 27 sites from Port Douglas down to Airlie Beach. The number of surveys this year was sadly limited by funds, rather than availability or time. The Marine Tropical Science Research Facility (MTSRF) administered by the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) has committed $50,000 for the year 2009/10 for Reef Check Australia to survey 18 of the most important dive sites for the next monitoring season, commencing in January 2010. It has also funded Reef Check Australia to develop more communications materials and train new volunteers. This year, the efficient completion of the survey season ahead of time was made possible by the outstanding contribution of project officers Nick Greenwood (full time) and Joel Stibbard (part time) who volunteered for Reef Check Australia for six months. This was despite the loss of several dive operator partners to the difficult economic climate. Inshore reef monitoring We are currently seeking funds to ensure the successful completion of the 2010/11 survey season and, ultimately, we are looking for long-term funding to sustain this project to ensure that we can guarantee annual monitoring of all of the dive sites and potentially to expand to reach additional important research areas. “Having spent years going out to the reef as a dive instructor, it’s just nice to be able to get out there and give something back,” Deborah Eastopp, RCA Volunteer Surveyor. The proximity of inshore coral reefs to coasts makes them more susceptible to human impacts. The aim of the 2008/09 inshore reef monitoring was to survey as many reefs as possible around Magnetic Island and the Townsville region. This project was essentially unfunded this year and a total of four dive sites were monitored, utilising funds from the Reef Check Australia public fund and Townsville City Council (through their Creek to Coral programme). Townsville City Council provided access to a charter to take the Reef Check Australia team to Middle Reef. The future of this project depends on our ability to secure long-term funding to carry out surveys at existing dive sites and expand the number of sites along the Queensland coast. This programme would combine well with efforts made on land under the Reef Rescue programme, where Reef Check Australia teams could provide coral health data at strategic reef locations where water quality improvement programmes are being undertaken on land. Coral health database Nick Greenwood & Marie-Lise Schläppy 2008/09 has seen major developments in our pioneering survey database, which will make our live data available online to the public. A full launch is planned for Q4 2009. Reef Check Australia 4 Annual Report 2008/09
SeQ monitoring project report – Jenn Loder This year continued to expand on the recent Reef Check Australia initiatives in South East Queensland. Three new monitoring sites were added to our existing seven sites, which made for 14 cumulative surveys at the completion of the season. The baseline data collected in South East Queensland is a valuable resource that can offer insights into the potential negative impacts resulting from the region’s rapidly growing population and extensive coastal development as well as the effectiveness of management applications. To assist with our monitoring efforts, eight volunteers were trained in the Reef Check Australia protocol during the season. We have also established new key relationships with local dive operators to further expand our network and reach critical monitoring locations. Community Outreach Activities Thanks to funding by the Australian Government Coastcare - Caring for our Country program, the culmination of the year welcomed a full-time coordinator based in South East Queensland to contribute to our larger long-term plans in the area. With an established presence in the area we are now working to increase our volunteer base, develop new partnership opportunities, distribute valuable coral health data and contribute to local conservation efforts. We are working to increase dramatically our monitoring coverage in the region with plans to include 20 sites ranging from Noosa on the Sunshine Coast to Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. These sites will provide greater representation of the coral communities in the region and encompass numerous sites inshore Moreton Bay as well as offshore sites, including some important sites within the Ramsar wetlands area. Survey sites have been selected to include a broad range of sites and feedback has been sought from numerous local stakeholders. These include; SEQ Catchments, researchers from the University of Queensland, University of the Sunshine Coast, and local dive operators. Flinders Reef Survey © Ian Banks We are also continuing to expand our volunteer base in the area and plan to run multiple training courses throughout the upcoming year. With our operations firmly established in SEQ, we are now in the process of consultations regarding management applications for Reef Check Australia SEQ data. Preliminary discussions are underway with Gold Coast City Council, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services, and the Department of Environmental Resource Management. In addition to our efforts to better understand the natural marine environment, we also plan to undertake social marketing research to gain insights into the knowledge, attitudes and sustainable behaviours of SEQ residents. This research will help to shape future educational and marketing strategies and will inform a wider public awareness campaign for Reef Check Australia. The Survey Team Reef Check Australia 5 Annual Report 2008/09
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2008/09 Annual Report - Reef Check Australia

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