Reporting

Regular reef visitors

Participants who have signed up to BleachWatch and regularly visit the reef are provided with a BleachWatch kit and asked to complete purpose-designed monitoring forms on a weekly basis.

The BleachWatch kit includes:

• Coral bleaching brochure [ Adobe Acrobat Format 2227 KB]
• Climate change brochure [ Adobe Acrobat Format 763 KB]
• Photographic examples of coral types and growth forms [ Adobe Acrobat Format 1000 KB]
• An underwater coral identification wrist band
• BleachWatch monitoring form [ Adobe Acrobat Format 593.8 KB]

Monitoring forms

BleachWatch monitoring forms require participants to provide general observer information (section 1), as well as details about their site, type of habitat and specific weather conditions (section 2) that are known to influence risk of bleaching (for example, water temperature, cloud cover, air temperature, wind speed). Detailed information about reef condition (section 3) and bleaching observations are also collected.

Once an observer has submitted the first site report to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), they need only fill out sections one and two and tick 'no change' unless coral bleaching is observed or there has been a change in conditions at the reef site. It is estimated that completion of the form takes approximately 10 minutes per week for each participant.

One-off reef visitors

Less regular or one-off reef visitors are encouraged to submit observations on reef status and coral bleaching by completing the BleachWatch monitoring form listed above and available for download.

How is the data used?

The data submitted by BleachWatch observers is compiled and synthesised into summary reports during the summer season. These are sent to participants for their information and for display to their clientele on board tourism vessels. The data collected is reviewed weekly to identify where coral bleaching has been sighted and whether detailed bleaching surveys should be implemented by the GBRMPA, as per the Coral Bleaching Response Plan.

Feedback to BleachWatch participants

• Regular updates on the latest weather conditions and sea temperatures for the entire Great Barrier Reef
• Status reports using data compiled from site reports summarising the conditions at a reef site over the summer. The status reports also provide a synopsis of bleaching observations and a bleaching risk assessment for that site
• Current conditions report. A fortnightly report compiled by GBRMPA staff that provides a synopsis of bleaching observations and a bleaching risk assessment for the entire Great Barrier Reef
• Certificate of Appreciation at the end of the summer.