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| What is Reef Check? |
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| "Reef Check is an international program that works with communities, governments and businesses to scientifically monitor, restore and maintain coral reef health. Reef Check objectives are to: educate the public about the coral reef crisis; to create a global network of volunteer teams trained in Reef Check’s scientific methods who regularly monitor and report on reef health; to facilitate collaboration that produces ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions; and to stimulate local community action to protect remaining pristine reefs and rehabilitate damaged reefs worldwide. |
| In August 2002, Reef Check released its five-year report, The Global Coral Reef Crisis – Trends and Solutions, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa. Based on data collected by thousands of Reef Check volunteer divers in over 50 countries and territories, the report is the first scientific documentation of the dramatic worldwide decline in coral reef health over the last five years. The rate of decline and the global extent of damage are alarming. There is virtually no reef in the world that remains untouched by human impacts, such as over fishing, pollution and climate change. Yet the success stories discussed in the report show that with proper monitoring, management and protection, our coral reefs can recover. It is up to us." -Reef Check website |
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| How Do I Get Involved? |
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| You can find a listing of Reef Check Teams in Hawaii and throughout the world here. |
| Contact your local Coordinator, or visit the Community Forum and Events Calendar to find out when Reef Check events are scheduled in Hawaii. |
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| What is the Reef Check Method? |
| The Reef Check method is unique because it is standardized across a global scale. The Reef Check method is also designed to measure anthropogenic (human-caused) impacts to the coral reef. "Indicator species" are established for each geographic region, and each species represents a particular impact such as aquarium collecting or over fishing. Volunteers record indicator species along transect lines in order to obtain an estimate of the abundance of these species. Results of Reef Check surveys can be compared between sites across the world in order to give us some insight into reef health and the extent of human impact on reefs. For more details about the Reef Check method, please visit the Reef Check "instructions" page. |
| What are the Reef Check Indicator Species for Hawaii? |
| Fishes |
| Butterflyfishes (family) |
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| Jacks or ulua (family) |
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| Goatfishes (familly) |
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| Parrotfishes or uhu (family) over 20 cm |
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| Moray eels or puhi (family) |
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| Yellow tang or lau'ipala |
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| Orangespined Unicornfish or umaumalei |
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| Peacock grouper or roi |
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| Snapper (family) |
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| Bluestriped snapper (ta'ape) |
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| Invertebrates |
| Banded coral shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) |
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| Diadema urchins |
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| Slate Pencil urchin (Heterocentrotus mammilatus) |
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| Crown-of-thorns sea star (Acanthaster) |
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| Triton shell (Charonia tritonis) |
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| Lobster |
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| Cowry shells |
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| Collector Urchin (Tripneustes) |
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