What they do
Reef Check is a volunteer-driven coral reef monitoring organization operating in 100+ countries. Trained volunteer divers conduct standardized reef health surveys using Reef Check's protocol, producing globally comparable data on coral cover, fish populations, and reef indicators. The data is used by governments, marine parks, and researchers to track reef health trends and inform management decisions.
Why they matter
Professional reef monitoring is expensive and geographically limited. Reef Check multiplies monitoring capacity by training recreational divers to conduct scientifically rigorous surveys. Their standardized protocol means data from the Maldives can be directly compared with data from the Caribbean. This global, volunteer-generated dataset provides the baseline against which reef decline (or recovery) is measured.
How to support
Get trained as a Reef Check volunteer surveyor (SCUBA certification required). Participate in survey expeditions. Donations fund training programs and data management. Educational programs available for non-divers.
Key project to explore
The global Reef Check database, with 30+ years of standardized coral reef survey data from 100+ countries, is one of the most comprehensive long-term datasets on coral reef health in existence.