Page 36 - Tropic Magazine Issue 35

TROPIC • COVER STORY

“Having women from the Torres Strait
join us on this trip was really meaningful
too. Their expertise is fundamental to
the successful management of the Great
Barrier Reef and understanding its
cultural value.
“The Great Reef Census can be used
to fill in all kinds of important gaps in
knowledge at scale, that go beyond what
we can possibly achieve through science
and our classic research structures alone.

It’s really everyone’s reef,
and I think we can all
contribute to ensuring its
condition in the future

Dr Katie Chartrand
JCU Senior Researcher
“The aim is to bring together this flotilla
of research vessels – whether that be Dr Katie Chartrand
tourism and dive boats, tugboats, fishing “The reefs we were looking at have been “I find the Great Reef Census is unique in
vessels or super yachts – where we all varied in terms of their health,” she said. taking a stride towards closing the loop
capture a snapshot in time of the Reef’s “Some reefs we surveyed are looking between inspirational citizen science and
condition through reefscape spectacular, while others are smashed by impactful reef outcomes. The program
style images.” cyclones and by recent major bleaching strives to not only educate or inspire,
While the Great Reef Census continues events. Others are starting to show really but to ensure our collective effort in the
to grow, Dr Chartrand says more good signs of recovery but it’s really not census is not in vain.
conservation efforts are needed in the enough time as of yet to say how that “Every photo captured and analysed
face of accelerating pressures on the Reef. recovery is going. is part of the power of big data and
She encourages everyone to get involved, “Given the threats from climate change, meaningful science.”
whether it’s by contributing to data we need to focus on politicians and
analysis or putting pressure on getting them to take climate emissions
local representatives. and targets more seriously.

Calling all citizen scientists

Want to get involved in a different way? “There’s a portal that takes you through how
to analyse the photos. Typically, you select a
Stage two of the Great Reef Census involves reef image and begin to colour in elements
analysing all the images shot by skippers, like coral or sand that you see in those
snorkellers and scientists in stage one. images – like paint-by-numbers. It allows you,
It begins mid-year, and anyone can wherever you may be, to sit at your computer
participate no matter where they are in the and help analyse the photos as little or as
world. “Last year we had primary age kids much as you want to do.”
get involved from Thailand and Finland; it’s
simple and can be done even if you’ve never MORE: greatreefcensus.org
been on a reef before,” Dr Chartrand said.

36 • Tropic • Issue 35