A report, recently released by the CRC Reef Research Centre, will assist tourism operators and volunteers groups develop dive volunteer-based monitoring programs

The project that led to the report was initiated in response to growing interest by recreational divers to become more involved in monitoring the condition of coral reef sites they visit. A set of scientific protocols has been developed to help groups plan reef survey programs, collect useful data, train local participants and ensure quality control.

CRC Reef Research Centre researchers Drs Barbara Musso and Graeme Inglis of James Cook University conducted a feasibility study into developing reliable coral reef surveys with support from the former Commonwealth Department of Tourism, several reef tourism operators and community groups in 1997. They have designed quantitative methods for volunteer divers to use to monitor the amount and type of coral and other marine organisms. These methods use a modified line transect intercept technique which involves observing and recording organisms beneath several transect lines at various sites on a regular basis.

The researchers say that with only limited training, volunteers can provide quantitative estimates of the total percentage cover of corals that are comparable in accuracy to estimates obtained by marine scientists.

'Coordinated programs of sampling by volunteers using these techniques have the potential to complement existing scientific monitoring programs in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park by providing information on natural patterns of change from a greater range of sites, and at more frequent time intervals, than is currently possible', Drs Musso and Inglis state.

However, the researchers point out that several conditions must be met by each group to ensure quality control and useful results can be obtained. They suggest their pilot program cannot be used reliably by divers with less than 30 hours SCUBA experience.

They also say it is unsuitable for visitors on dive trips of less than three days duration as the time required for training and underwater surveys does not fit the tight schedules of many dive operators. Furthermore, they found some divers are unwilling to get involved in volunteer research on short trips. Sustained monitoring programs require a long-term commitment of resources and enthusiasm from all involved. These factors are crucial to any program's success.

Mr Dave Windsor, Executive Director of the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators, says that the report will encourage extended dive tour companies to adopt sites for monitoring. 'It will also augment existing projects, such as the "Eye on the Reef" monitoring program in Port Douglas, used by day-tour operators', he said.

A short training program developed for the study is outlined in the report. The report includes a handbook, photographic guide and instruction manual for tour operators. The researchers emphasise the importance of rigorous training to ensure accurate and useful survey data are collected. Guidelines for the sampling design of volunteer-based monitoring have been prepared which aim to reduce the effect of bias identified during the feasibility study.

The CRC Reef Research Centre report, Developing Reliable Coral Reef Monitoring Programs for Marine Tourism Operators and Community Volunteers, provides a framework for developing future dive volunteer-based monitoring programs. But the report does not give ready-made answers for every dive operator or community group. Volunteer programs work only if they meet the needs and aspirations of individuals and associated groups involved. Arrangements must be made to manage the program, to design survey methods and train participants. Some centralised coordination is necessary to ensure that information obtained from different groups is comparable. Enthusiasm must be maintained. Survey data must be used and feedback given to volunteers. Regular reporting on the findings, media publicity and recognition must be arranged to instil a sense of ownership with participants.

Drs Inglis and Musso say that although resources and advice may be given to groups to set up and run a monitoring program, the principle responsibility lies with those carrying out the surveys - the volunteers.