October 1998 Newsletter

GUIDE FOR VOLUNTEER DIVERS TO MONITOR CORAL REEFS

The project, initiated in response to growing interest by recreational divers to become more involved in monitoring the condition of coral reef sites they visit, has developed a set of scientific protocols to help groups plan reef survey programs, collect useful data, train local participants and ensure quality control.

CRC researchers Drs Barbara Musso and Graeme Inglis of James Cook University conducted a feasibility study into developing reliable coral reef surveys with support from the Department of Tourism, several Reef tourism operators and community groups in 1997. They have designed quantitative methods for volunteer divers to monitor the amount and type of coral and marine organisms using a modified line transect intercept technique. The survey technique involves observing and recording organisms beneath several transect lines at various sites on a regular basis.

The researchers say that with only limited training, volunteers can provide quantitative estimates of the total percentage cover of corals that are comparable in accuracy to surveys obtained by marine scientists.

"Coordinated programs of sampling by volunteers using these techniques have the potential to complement existing scientific monitoring programs in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park by providing information on natural patterns of change from a greater range of sites, and at more frequent time intervals, than is currently possible," they state.

However, the researchers point out that several conditions must be met by each group to ensure quality control and useful results can be obtained. They suggest their pilot program cannot be used reliably by divers with less than 30 hours SCUBA experience. They also say it is unsuitable for visitors on dive vessels of less than three days duration as the time required for training and underwater surveys does not fit the tight schedules of many dive operators. Furthermore, they found some divers are unwilling to get involved in volunteer research on short trips. Sustained monitoring programs require a long-term commitment of resources and enthusiasm from all involved. These factors are crucial to any program's success.

Ms Robin Aiello, a marine biologist with Great Adventures in Cairns, says the report is a valuable contribution to the ongoing needs of both managers and other Reef stakeholders. "Not only does this monitoring program provide data on the health and general ecology of specific reef sites, but it also provides an 'early warning' system able to identify environmental changes at sites, and alert appropriate management agencies when necessary," she says.

"It augments other projects, such as the ''Eye-of-the-Reef Monitoring Program', which are being developed for use on day operations."

A short training program developed for the study is outlined in the report. It includes a handbook, photographic guide and instruction manual for tour operators. The researchers emphasize the importance of rigorous training to ensure accurate and useful survey data are collected.

Guidelines for the sampling design of volunteer-based monitoring have been prepared and aim to reduce the effect of bias identified during the field studies.

The CRC Technical Report provides a framework for developing future dive volunteer-based Reef monitoring programs. But the report does not give ready-made answers for every dive operator of community group. Volunteer programs work only if they meet the needs and aspirations of individuals and associated groups involved. Arrangements must be made to manage the program, to design survey methods and train participants. Some centralised coordination is necessary to ensure that information obtained from different groups is comparable. Enthusiasm must be maintained. Survey data must be used and feedback given to volunteers. Regular reporting on the findings, media publicity and recognition must be arranged to instill a sense of ownership with participants.

"Unless there are clear, auditable targets, monitoring programs may consume considerable resources of time, effort and money for little discernible gain,' they state.

Drs Inglis and Musso say although resources and advise may be given to groups in setting up and running a monitoring program, the principle responsibility lies with those carrying out the surveys - the volunteers.

Copies of the CRC Technical Report 'Developing Reliable Coral Reef Monitoring Programs for Marine Tourism Operators and Community Volunteers' are available from the CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd.

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