Australia
Date: 2026
Progress: Ongoing
Training divers to counter marine threats and expand Australia’s Reef Life Survey Network
The Project
This project will deliver two targeted Reef Life Survey (RLS) diver training campaigns to strengthen long-term reef stewardship by expanding community capacity for marine conservation monitoring. Each campaign will train a minimum of four new participants in underwater survey methods to assess reef fish, invertebrates, seaweeds, and habitat condition. Participants will receive practical field training, mentoring, and post-course support.
To avoid acting blindly, conservation managers need reliable long-term data, yet, for marine ecosystems, we lack the monitoring capacity to adequately detect ecological change, invasive species, biodiversity loss, and climate-related impacts. Reef Life Survey directly addresses this gap by combining trained volunteer divers with robust scientific methods. RLS data is globally unique in tracking population trends of over 5,000 species at over 3,000 sites. These freely-distributed data are used by researchers, governments, and conservation managers worldwide.
By investing in people, this project creates enduring local capability that delivers value well beyond the grant period. Newly trained divers contribute to future surveys, support local conservation initiatives, and build community awareness of the importance of healthy marine environments.
The project aligns strongly with goals to support sustainable oceans, empower communities, encourage self-reliance, and build practical
The campaign includes; a documentary, ‘Living Book’, schools program, tourism discovery trail across key sites, a community screening roadshow and an interactive online education and advocacy portal that is packed with resources including a free media library to unify messaging and support local conservation.
Check out the full website here: https://reeflifesurvey.com/
Project Partners
