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Reefcheck Eco Divers Course - Thailand Marine Study
Dr. Greg Hodgeson formalized a standard for monitoring coral-reefs in 1997 largely because a journalist had asked him to state his opinion on the state of the world’s marine reefs. Based on several standardized underwater transect methods, (ICLARM Aquanaut, ReefBase) Reef Check has developed a coral reef monitoring system and an international coral reef conservation program. Reef Check is community of volunteer professional divers and amateur divers participating in a global monitoring program mainly but not exclusively targeting coral reef ecosystems. The Reef Check coral reef monitoring system was founded in 1996 and is active in over 82 countries and territories throughout the world. Reef Check does have a Thai Chapter and has two active monitoring teams in Thailand as well as a national coordinator. Reef Check is an international program that works with communities, governments and businesses to scientifically monitor, restore and maintain coral reef health. Reef Check objectives are to: educate the public about the coral reef crisis; to create a global network of volunteer diver teams trained in Reef Check’s scientific methods who regularly monitor reefs and report on reef health; to facilitate collaboration that produces ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions; and to stimulate local community action to protect remaining pristine coral reefs and rehabilitate damaged reefs worldwide. During
the reef checking program you will learn how to identify certain species of fish
and invertebrates that have Once your reef data has been collated and entered on to the purpose designed spread sheet you or your dive team leader will send it to your team scientist for analysis and assessment. The team scientist may ask you for clarification or additional information of your findings. Once he is satisfied the marine survey data is accurate it will be sent to Reefcheck headquarters for final verification and then entered on to the Reefcheck database. Mermaids dive center in Pattaya, Thailand now offer the ReefCheck Eco-Diver course for all divers that wish to get involved and begin making Coral Reef monitoring studies! The Reef Check Eco Diver course is designed to teach you everything you need to know to conduct full scale Reef Check surveys. In this program you'll learn about the globally standardized Reef Check methodology as well as how to identify key indicator fish, invertebrates and substrates selected by Reef Check for global monitoring and coral reef conservation. The course is very in-depth and will leave you never looking at the reefs in the same way. The Eco Dive course will allow you to join the Reef Check monitoring team and assist in underwater surveys around the world. The EcoDiver Course provides training in globally standardized Reef Check methodology. You'll learn how to identify different types of coral formation and to access whether they are healthy or damaged. You'll identify key indicator fish and invertebrates selected by Reef Check for global monitoring and find out how to collect data that can be submitted to ReefCheck's global reef-monitoring database. Reef Check Ecco Diver course includes a buoyancy check dive not just to refresh your buoyancy skills but teach you new methods of moving in the water. Mermaids require the diver to be Advanced diver with 25 dives to participate in the course to ensure good buoyancy and new skills shall be learned. The Reef Check Eco-Diver Course is 7 days in length: Program outline for Reef Check Eco Diver:
Reef Check Ecco Diver Course Materials: Required materials: (Supplied)
What's included: The cost of joining a Reef watch project includes all scientific, and marine project training, course materials, and equipment. Training to Advanced diver if required. Pre-requisites: The student scientific diver is required to be a minimum of a PADI (or other agency) Advanced Diver with a minimum of 25 dives. Costs: The 7 day Reef Check Eco Diver course is 22,000 Thai baht all inclusive. Mermaids Intern divers 18,000 Thai baht. |
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many parts of the world coral reefs represent a major economic resource that is
often misunderstood by local communities. The scientific community as a whole
had little or no idea as to the state of the worlds' coral reef systems as
recently as 1990 – 1995.
been specifically selected to help indicate any external pressures being exerted
on a reef. These are not surprisingly known as indicator species. You will also
learn how to identify and categorize the substrate (rock) again the importance
of this cannot be over emphasized as the information that you collect will help
determine what and how much humans are impacting coral reefs. In addition you
will also learn to recognize how human impact on the surrounding area affects
the marine reef. Some of the program is land based but a great deal of your work
will be conducted in the ocean on the reefs.
