Reef Check
In 5 years 80% of the people on
earth will live within 100 km of the coast. All over
the world, coral reefs are at risk from human activities
and scientists need help to monitor the status of the
reefs. One chance for you to help is to join
Barbados Reef Check Programme,
part of Reef
Check International. This international programme
monitors the global health of coral reefs using a simple
survey method. Results are used to determine the status
of corals around the world.. Any experienced scuba
diver with an interest in the environment can join this
simple monitoring exercise that we carry out on 8 of
Barbados’ coral reefs. Participants will receive a
training session the day before. Please come and help
in this programme to protect our coral reefs.
On January 8th, 2005 we
conducted 5 reef checks around the island:
Oistins
Coconut Court/Asta reef
Bougenvillea
Carlisle Bay
Heywoods
Port St. Charles
This coral assessment programme provides a way for local communities to monitor
the health of their own reefs using a method to count
easy-to-identify reef health indicators, like live coral,
grouper and lobster. This data is passed onto the Reef
Check scientists, for inclusion in the global coral reef
status report.
It is an important indicator
in an era when these "rain forests of the sea",
which support an extraordinary diversity of species and
take centuries to develop, are under increasing stress
from pollution, coastal development, poor fishing practices,
storm activity, and global warming.
