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February 17th, 2011
Reef Check & Conservation Efforts Continues @ Crystal Dive Resort, Koh Tao

Two new Reef Check Eco divers joined the list of certified divers committed to preserving the underwater environment today. After three days of intensive training Petra Vasony and Liam Bolitho joined recently certified Eco diver Julia Stewart and Instructor Nathan Cook conducting a Reef Check Survey of one of Koh Tao’s busier dive sites, Twins.

A couple of Batfish joined us at the end of our survey!	Christmas Tree Worms spawning at Twins during our Reef Check survey!

Our Reef Check surveys are conducted in conjunction with global eco-monitoring organisation Reef Check. We also submit more extensive data to local conservation group Save Koh Tao thereby contributing to both groups conservation efforts.

Reef Check data & our long term monitoring efforts are an integral tool in the marine resource management arsenal to protect reefs worldwide. Without detailed information of the environmental changes taking place scientists, stakeholders and other decision makers would have no way of knowing what is really taking place under water. Detailed ecosystem information is important to determine what changes are taking place, what are the causes, and what decisions can made to effect positive changes to our local environment.

Julia & Liam during their Reef Check survey at Twins. The survey looks at the difference between dead & living organisms that occupy space on the bottom	Common boring clams embedded in the coral were spawning constantly throughout the Full Moon period

During our survey training we were treated to some unusual spectacles with many organisms spawning during the full moon period of this month. Boring clams and Christmas Tree Worms were among the many organisms we saw adding new life and clouding up the visibility over the last few days.

Unfortunately due to last year’s bleaching event and the stress experienced by the corals the Acropora branching corals, which would normally be spawning this month appear unlikely to reproduce. Having spent so much energy surviving the warm conditions of 2010 the corals have probably been unable to produce eggs this year. We are hoping the more robust massive boulder type corals have fared better and will provide us with some succession next month.

Coral reefs are in danger all over the world from amongst other things climate change, global warming and ocean acidification. Reef Check surveys complement our other reef restoration techniques including coral nurseries and artificial reefs which are increasingly important to save reefs from extinction.