Now in its fifth year with continuing sponsorship from Hiscox Bermuda Ltd., REEF Watch was created by the Bermuda Zoological Society to provide residents of Bermuda with the tools to critically evaluate the condition and threats to Bermuda’s coral reefs and fish stocks. REEF Watch trains citizen scientists in hands-on-experience in reef surveys, and creates a public portal to share information with the broader public, resource managers and policy makers.

Over four years, the initiative has raised $74,263 for coral reef conservation and research.

KEEPING WATCH ON CORAL REEFS

Coral reefs are the foundation of our marine ecosystem - and they are in danger! Bermuda's coral reefs provide shelter for a wide variety of marine life, they provide locals and visitors with recreation, they create sand for our beaches and serve as a buffer for our shorelines.

BECOME A REEF WATCHER

TRAINING VIDEO

The training video at https://youtu.be/2OqT1UyrpO4 may be helpful and can be shared with your team members to supplement information given on the Training nights at BAMZ: 5:30 pm on Wednesday, 20 September and Thursday, 21 September.

FUNDRAISING

We ask that each Team Member raise a minimum $50 in sponsorship. All Team Members are required to register on CROWDRISE, thus benefitting their boat’s overall fundraising total.

CROWDRISE.COM/REEFWATCH is a great way to get team support from your friends, family and colleagues. Check it out and use the share buttons and post updates. We want YOUR team to win the grand prize! If you receive cash or cheques, you can also post them as offline donations on your team page on CROWDRISE.COM/REEFWATCH.

REEF WATCH DAY – SATURDAY, 23rd SEPTEMBER. RAIN DATE SUNDAY, 24TH SEPTEMBER

Boats are encouraged to head out at a time that is convenient for you and your team, but do check the weather first! We are estimating that each reef survey will take about an hour, not including travel time.

Once your work as a citizen scientist below the surface is complete, make sure your dive slates are filled out completely and bring them to the REEF Watch BBQ at Trunk Island on Saturday 23rd August. It is important that you return them quickly so our scientists can analyse data to provide some initial results that night. Be sure to also turn in your maps and hula-hoops at this time.

REEF WATCH AFTER PARTY – SATURDAY, 23rd SEPTEMBER

Bring the family to the REEF Watch After Party on Trunk Island. LIVE MUSIC? Yes! FOOD? Absolutely! It won’t be fancy – some burgers, dogs, salads, beer, wine, sodas and our signature REEF Watchers Cocktail. We know everybody likes a good party, and what’s a party without S’mores, a pirate’s booty treasure hunt, and raffles?

WHAT IF IT’S RAINING? We will try again on Sunday, 24th September. If you’re not sure check back here or www.bzs.bm and we will update with any news.

Water Taxis will shuttle you from BAMZ back dock to Trunk Island at 5pm, 5:15pm, 5:30pm and 5:45pm. Return shuttles will leave the island at 7:45pm, 8:00pm and 8:15pm and 8:30pm.

What’s an island party without a raft up? And there’s nothing better than a Bermuda raft up! If you prefer, bring your boat or find a boating friend and come to the Harrington Sound. Tie up together for our Raft Up Party. We will have people ready to assist you.

WEATHER ALERT

We will be holding up our crystal ball and looking at the weather gurus to help us with predictions. We will study the weather models and make a weather call for the event on Thursday, 21 September. If we are forced to postpone we will send out an email to all participants and let you know if the rain date will be implemented for the event.

PHOTOS & VIDEOS

Who doesn’t have a GoPro these days? Be sure to charge your cameras before setting out for the survey and share your pix on Facebook or Instagram.