By Sarah Lagan
Published Jun 23, 2015 at 8:00 am (Updated Jun 23, 2015 at 2:27 am)

Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo curator Ian Walker helps to promote
Reef Watch at the Johnny Barnes roundabout yesterday morning

Bermuda’s ocean guardians were at the Johnny Barnes roundabout to promote Saturday’s citizen science initiative Reef Watch.

More than 20 boats have signed up for the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo reef monitoring project and there is still time for more teams to sign up.

New participants wishing to sign up are advised to attend one of two training sessions being held at BAMZ tonight and tomorrow night (Wednesday) at 5.30pm. Dr Thad Murdoch and Dr Robbie Smith will be on hand to explain the methods involved in returning accurate results on reef health and fish numbers. Goodie bags and materials will also be distributed to team members during the sessions.

Reef Watch invites teams of four divers or snorkellers to explore their own section of reef surrounding the Island taking down scientific data that will help to maintain the health of the reefs in future years. Each team is asked to raise a minimum of $500 but there will be prizes for the most raised on the day.

The deadline for donations is 5pm this Saturday.

BAMZ principal curator Ian Walker said: “Without the reefs there would be no Bermuda and so this is a really great way of getting a snapshot of the health of Bermuda’s reefs all in one day.

“A scientist would normally go out and get a certain spot studied in a day. Well here’s a way of getting 50 or 80 people out all over the reef platform looking at different areas and bringing all that information in one afternoon.

“If we do it every year we get a doctor’s note on how healthy it is. It teaches people that the reef is important shows them how to understand what disease looks like on a reef — what a healthy reef is and what it takes to keep it healthy.”

Last year the event raised $24,573 which will go towards reef research. The day will culminate in a celebratory BBQ at the aquarium for all participants where prizes will be awarded.

Anyone wishing to sign up can do so via www.crowdrise.com/reefwatch or by calling BAMZ.