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

A kit for D.I.Y. reef monitoring:

Simple technology for the assessment of coral health

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

Heron March 2002

Ble

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co

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Heron May 2002

He

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co

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What is coral bleaching?• Loss of symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae)• Leads to coral starvation and possible death!

In1998 16% of the world’s coral reefs died due to a mass bleaching event!

Global warming has been found to be the major cause of the massive bleaching events observed in recent years.

Sea temperatures are predicted to continue to rise and thus bleaching is expected to occur more and more frequently in

the future leaving no time for complete recovery.

This will lead to the death of large areas of coral reefs worldwide within a few decades and the collapse of tourism and fisheries industries worth hundreds of billions of $$$$$

Coral bleaching effects worldwide

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

How coral colour charts work

Recovered, May 2002

Bleached, March 2002

Recovered, May 2002

Bleached, March 2002

Specially designed colours that

scientifically indicate the concentration of

symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) and

represent the condition of the coral’s health.

Results of coral monitoring1) Repeated measurements of specific colonies

•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.

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.

Interactive website where you can see results of your work

www.coralwatch.org

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

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!

Data is used to monitor reefs and provide education about social impacts

Eco-friendly activity that gives tourists and

resorts a ‘good feeling’ for helping the reefs

•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

Summary

Thank you

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