Introduction

Divers along with others that have an affinity with the natural world, have long been aware of the impacts that humans have on their surroundings. This is especially true for the oceans which, even now remain 'out of sight, out of mind' for the majority of Australians. A fact that is reflected by the weak legislation that inadequately protects these areas.

For marine conservation initiatives to be successful they need to have the backing of the community... and that includes you!

We have listed a number of ways for you to get involved, please take the time to think about these and then decide how you can best make a difference. Remember - you don't have to be a diver or scientist to help!

Join Reef Watch

Your first step is to "join" Reef Watch, which simply means providing your contact details to ensure that you will receive updates on our activities and programs. Contact us to join up.

Reef Watch activities include training, monitoring dives, educational workshops and a number of social events suitable for a wide audience. There are also a number of special events during the year that Reef Watch either organises or participates in. These include: National Science Week; World Environment Day; Threatened Species Day. etc...

Become a survey diver

One of the main aims of Reef Watch is to undertake sound monitoring of our marine environment. To do this we assist recreational divers and snorkellers to undertake such monitoring.

Your first step to becoming a survey diver is to undertake the free training that we provide to divers and snorkelers, to help them to easily collect high quality information on reef heath using Reef Watch's survey methodologies. For divers, this training takes the form of a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) course. For further details, see the "In-water training" section.

After you have completed your training, you can continue to collect survey data using the methods that you have been taught. Reef Watch will be running a dive register, to help Reef Watch divers link up together to undertake monitoring dives.

Even if you don't want to dedicate any of your diving time towards surveys, you can still help by keeping out a sharp eye for particular Feral or In Peril species.

Help us run the Program

In order for Reef Watch to realise its full potential we require volunteer staff with a variety of skills and experience. In fact we require people with a range of skills from divers to boat operators, public speakers, admin personnel, function organisers, fund raisers... and if you can't do any of that then we also need someone to cook the BBQ. Whatever you can do, we can most likely put it to effective use, and at the same time provide you with experience and the opportunity to contribute to a successful program. The only essential criterion is enthusiasm.

Apart from our general need for volunteer help, Reef Watch currently has a particular need for volunteers in the following areas:

• Dive assistants (currently insured PADI instructors and divemasters)
• Graphic designers (particularly with good Photoshop skills or equivalent)
• Web page authors/editors

Financial Help

Reef Watch members donate countless hours of their time and expertise to make the project work. Unfortunately we live in a world ruled by the dollar and hence there are costs attached to everything we do! As such Reef Watch is often seeking funds to start new conservation initiatives as well as maintaining existing ones. It is only through sponsorship that we will be able to continue this good work. If you can help, please contact Reef Watch.

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