Protecting Bermuda’s marine environment has long been a priority for the Bermuda Zoological Society. Last year, with the support of Hiscox, they launched Reef Watch, an event where members of the community were invited to become Citizen Scientists and participate in an Island-wide effort to help monitor the health of Bermuda’s reef systems.

Held on Saturday, August 31, the event involved more than 100 people, including whole families, to survey 35 different reef locations, covering more than 500 square kilometres of the Bermuda lagoon, in support of ongoing research by the Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Analysis and Monitoring (BREAM) programme.

“Bermuda’s coral reefs provide vital services to the people of our Island, by protecting our shores, enhancing our tourism product, providing recreational activities, food, and attracting overseas scientists and students,” said Dr Thaddeus Murdoch, chief scientist BREAM. “As coral reefs throughout the rest of the Atlantic succumb to deterioration and collapse, it is critical that we monitor the ecological condition of our coral reefs and manage the effects of the many local and global impacts that can harm reef and fish health.

“The Sea Life Index overall for coral reefs across the platform, as measured by combining the separate indices for predatory fish, herbivorous fish, hard coral cover and sea weed cover, shows that the reefs across most of the lagoon are in good condition,” Dr Murdoch explained. “Predatory fish, such as grouper and snapper, were notably absent however. Healthy reefs should have lots of these fishes swimming around them. Careful fisheries management is needed if predatory fish are to remain abundant, while also acting as an important source for our food.

“The Bermuda residents who took part in Reef Watch are now better able to tell the difference between an unhealthy coral reef and one in good condition. Through the Reef Watch programme, these folks have the means to communicate both their boating adventures and their concerns. These informed residents are now empowered to ensure our resources are managed effectively and that marine policies benefit both the marine animals and Bermuda’s people.”

Results from the 2013 Reef Watch survey are available online on the BZS website, on the BZS Reef Watch page in the Conservation section (http://www.bzs.bm/conservation.php?id=33&start=), and video footage from last year’s event can be viewed on the BZS YouTube page (http://youtu.be/Wh74JSrr4XM).