From now until end of January, ANYONE on the Great Barrier Reef can jump in and help collect photos to be analyzed as part of the Great Reef Census. Yes - that includes us yachties too!
The Great Reef Census is a collaborative citizen science initiative aimed at surveying the Great Barrier Reef to gather valuable data on reef health. This helps scientists and conservationists better understand the reef's condition and prioritize conservation efforts.
It's super easy to get involved in the in-water surveys:
Step 1: Choose A Reef
A Reef You Are Already Going To:
If you are going to reefs as part of your sailing journey, whether you are stopping to do some spearfishing or for a relaxing anchorage, it just takes 15 minutes out of your plans to jump in the water to conduct a quick survey.
A Top Priority Reef:
If you are looking for some inspiration on where to go, there is a list of top-priority reefs - some of which have never been surveyed before! If you would like to really help science, get yourself to one of these reefs. You can check out the priority list HERE by selecting "2024" from the dropdown and then "Show Census Priority". There are plenty of high-priority reefs along the length of the Great Barrier Reef, including plenty on the outer reef off the Whitsundays.
Step 2: Determine Your Survey Site/s & Coordinates
Once you have selected which reef you are going to survey, it's time to determine your survey site. Ideally, it is best to position yourself on the reef edges for the surveys (like the image above). It is also ideal to get four surveys at each reef, one for each edge (North, South, East & West). However, ANY survey is better than none, so whatever is possible!
Whether you are doing 1 survey, or 4 surveys on the same reef, it is important to check your coordinates each time before you jump in the water to take photos. You can find your coordinates on Navionics on your phone if you are taking your dinghy between sites. You will be moving during the survey (like the picture below), however it is just important to note the location you started the survey, not necessarily every photo you take during the survey.
Its also important to make sure your camera Time & Date settings are correct. You can do this on GoPro swipe down, then swipe horizontally to get to Prefrences. Scroll down to Date and time.
Step 3: Take 40 Photos At Each Site
Now you are ready to jump in and start your snorkel! It's ideal to get 40 photos at the site. You can follow the tips below for the best results:
Take 1 photo every 5 fin kicks
Take photos 2-3 m away from the reef
Don't capture the same scene twice; swim to a new area between shots
We don’t need photos of the reef flats (shallow tops of reefs)
Avoid photos that show sand only
While snorkeling, keep an eye out for Crown Of Thorns and Coral Bleaching.
If you are doing 4 surveys in one day, it's a good idea to take a photo of your hand or the new coordinates before you get in the water each time so you know they are separate surveys in your camera roll. This will make it easier when you upload them. Some examples of good survey photos are below.
Step 4: Upload
Next time you are in internet service or have the starlink on, you are ready to upload you're photos!
Before you upload for the first time, you will need to create an account. You can do this here:
Once you have an account, you can go to Submit A Survey. Select "Create A Submission".
You will then be prompted to input your coordinates. I find it easier to scroll on the map on the right-hand side to the reef I was surveying and click to drop a pin. This inputs a set of coordinates into the left-hand side that I can then easily edit to the coordinates of my survey. You then upload the 40 photos you took from the survey coordinates. Then you will be asked if you saw any crown of thorns starfish or coral bleaching at this site.
Repeat the process to upload photos from the other survey locations.
Step 5: Share your experience & Spread The Word!
Yachties are some of the best content creators out there! With YouTube channels, Instagrams and Facebook pages that inspire so many people. So use your platforms to spread the word and document the process as you get involved. Make sure to tag @CitizensGBR to get reshared and featured on their social channels too!
The Great Reef Census In-Water Surveys are run annually (from September to January). If you are not on the reef during these times, you can also be involved by anaysing the photos from anywhere in the world!
Learn more at https://greatreefcensus.org/