Conservation Spotlight: Reef Check

In this series of articles, we’re profiling conservation organizations focused on ocean protection. We’ll also let readers know how they can get involved. Today we’re chatting with Jenny Mihaly, program manager at Reef Check.

What does Reef Check do?

Reef Check works to protect tropical coral reefs and California rocky reefs through education, research and conservation. We take a grassroots approach to build independent teams of volunteer citizen-scientists. These people monitor and protect reefs through scientific data collection and conservation in their local communities. The concept of community empowerment, to protect reefs and the communities that depend on them, has proven very successful around the world. Reef Check continues to make big strides in global reef conservation and community development.

How did Reef Check start?

In 1993, at the Global Health of Reefs Symposium in Miami, someone asked: “What is the health of the world’s coral reefs?” Surprisingly, scientists could not answer this question. About half the scientists believed reefs globally were in excellent condition. Others reported reefs in decline. There was no globally comparable data or standardized monitoring in place to answer this question. Hence the need for Reef Check.

In 1996, coral ecologist Dr. Gregor Hodgson designed a global survey method called Reef Check for the 1997 International Year of the Reef. Dr. Hodgson carried out the first survey in Kauai, Hawaii in 1997. Now there are over 10,000 surveys from around the world on Reef Check’s Global Reef Tracker.

How many people are involved?

Reef Check has built a global network of over 30,000 volunteers who monitor reefs worldwide. Reef Check trains citizen-scientist divers who survey the health of coral reefs in over 90 countries and territories, and rocky reef ecosystems along the entire coast of California. We use the results to improve management techniques of these critically important natural resources.

Headquarters is in Marina del Rey, California, with a small but dedicated staff of six. We also rely on the invaluable help of volunteers and interns. Its office is the perfect location to run Reef Check Eco-Tours, a highly interactive marine conservation program that gives guests the chance to become marine biologists for the day aboard one of the local boats.

What are the main actions and/or areas of focus?

Reef Check carries out its work through three major programs.

• EcoDiver Program is an education and certification program for kids and adults who want to learn more about the ocean and take part in protecting reef ecosystems.
• Coral Reef Management Program is a coral-reef monitoring and management system that focuses on establishing Marine Protected Areas to conserve coral reefs while encouraging local residents to sustainably use surrounding reefs.
• Reef Check California is a volunteer monitoring program for California rocky reefs, designed to provide data for managers and to build a conservation constituency among California divers.

Reef Check programs provide ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions to save reefs. They create partnerships among community volunteers, government agencies, businesses, universities and other non-profit organizations.

How can people help?

Experienced divers and snorkelers can join our team of citizen-scientists by participating in our EcoDiver program. They can enroll in a three-day EcoDiver certification course that qualifies them to help our teams monitor reefs worldwide. Experienced divers can also sign up for one of our signature Reef Check EcoExpeditions, which include EcoDiver training. We always appreciate donations, and readers can make those on the website.

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