ECOLOGICAL MONITORING PROGRAM - REEF CHECK
Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP) iis a coral reef research program started by the CPAD foundation on Koh Tao and carried forth by the Save Koh Tao and the individual dive shops. Through this program, Save Koh Tao collects information on the biodiversity and abundance of the fish, invertebrate, and coral species on Koh Tao.
By coupling this information with water quality and other data we hope to construct accurate pictures of the negative and positive trends in reef health around the island. Baseline data has been gathered since 2006, but it takes time for trends to appear outside of seasonal changes. As of June 2008, Scuba Schools International (SSI) has endorsed the course and is working with Save Koh Tao to develop a comprehensive program that can be taught all over the Gulf of Thailand; Funding future projects, raising awareness and increasing the amount of data available on our area.
Recently we have been working to expand our coverage of the Koh Tao Reef system and develop a comprehensive monitoring program with longevity and sustainability. We have been trying to develop detailed maps, with GPS coordinates and clear underwater visual markers so that the continued monitoring of Koh Tao is not reliant upon the few individuals currently doing so. Hopefully this information will make it more and more accessable for trained individuals to continue the research.
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Click on the image to see the latest pictures from
our Reef Check Ecodiver programs. |
The data collected through this program is used by the organization to focus protection and restoration efforts and published for presentation to local and regional government bodies for future project planning. We believe in the free sharing of information, and if you would like copies of the raw data from reef checks and water testing on Koh Tao Please contact us.
If you would like to learn how to do an EMP Reef Check please click here for more details on our Ecodiver Course |
