reefscan works to innovate...
value from biodiversity data
One of the fundamental actions of ReefScan is the transformation of data collection methods for understanding and valuing aquatic ecosystems and their use by humans.
This approach spans a broad range of stakeholders, and fundamentally acts to enshrine that sound management is critical, and without this our rapidly degrading aquatic ecosystems present a bleak future.
ReefScan provides guidance for innovating aquatic resource management solutions, at governmental level but most importantly, through to stakeholders at sea, and fresh water level!
Who cleans the cleaner?
Joining the dots with data
meaningful data sharing
Crosscutting data interoperability is mission critical so that ecosystem management has meaning and connectivity across all stakeholders, most importantly, links back to the ecosystems themselves!
ReefScan works to develop nationwide data monitoring and visualisation systems, alongside social community actions which generate inclusivity and develop communities of practice for adaptive, anticipatory and responsive resource management.
streamlined data collection
Asking the right questions is critical to problem solving as quickly as possible, and in a rapidly changing dynamic system facing critical impact from climate change, gathering the right data so the tail doesn't wag the dog (so that the data shark tail doesn't wag the shark) is mission critical.
ReefScan makes several long duration deployable systems which have the capacity to achieve this by utilising a tiny "fish brain" with eyes and sensors which see in all directions, to automatically spot the interesting "indicator" species of interest, even hundreds of meters below the surface for many weeks!
real-time monitoring systems
Knowing what is going on where and when, is not only useful for gathering data in real time, but also, with satelite data links, it is now possible to experience life underwater in real time.
Real time streams of data are extremely valuable to demonstrate, for example to non divers, the importance and value of aquatic ecosystems and these technologies enable people to experience live events without ever needing to travel, or do a lot of SCUBA training to go underwater.
Not only does this bridge a practical divide but also enables greater understanding of what goes on under the blue landscape within these cryptic environments while also enabling real time environmental monitoring.
Working proactively to support stakeholders in need, from fishers to divers, or divers who were once fishers.
In the three months following typhoon Haiyan in 2013, ReefScan delivered the equivalent of 12.5 million litres of clean drinking water to coastal communities in the Philippines after the typhoon made landfall.
Reefscan works with stakeholders in need to help them proactively solve problems which might otherwise lead to less sustainable resource use. These problem solving clinics are designed to support direct interventions, without a middle operator so that any donations go as directly to the person in need, as possible.
In late 2024 the reefscan website was badly hacked and had to be rehosted and is currently being redesigned.
Please bear this in mind when visiting the site.
However, we are pleased to announce that ReefScan's most popular video, has reached over 300,000 views on YouTube.
Click play to view the experience of monitoring conflict and cooperation between fishers onboard an IUU observation study back in 2009.
Past News...
Reefscan During COVID
Watch Felimar's story about how he lost his job as a Divemaster. Due to lack of tourism, he and his colleagues struggled to survive through COVID, and how he built a more robust fishing boat using epoxy resin, from donations made via a ReefScan campaign.Share this Post
ReefScan 2020
From 2015 to 2020, ReefScan gathered genetic field data in the UK relating to stakeholder consumption of elasmobranch commodities. This work has been in collaboration with @ExeterMarine at the University of Exeter involving barcode genetic analysis led by Dr Andrew Griffiths. The results were highly innovative steps at the time in that the samples were highly processed and the tissues highly degraded in comparison to "fresh" DNA samples. These innovative techniques combined with careful investigative sourcing of samples were key in developing this methodology and revealing the situation in the UK. Read the full report in published in Nature free via ResearchGate.Share this Post
Illegal Fishing & Climate Change
Watch ReefScan's collaborative efforts with Interpol, BBC Earth and the Pew Charitable Trusts. This video represents some of the challenging work reefscan has undertaken over the past 20 years to better understand food insecurity in communities impacted by marine biodiversity loss through combined pressures of illegal fishing and climate change.Share this Post
empathy and innovation
Where land meets the Ocean, both biodiversity and humanity so often struggle to survive the direct impact of climate change.
ReefScan works to support innovation and generate both empathy and understanding in problem solving these challenges.
ReefScan also seeks to empower solutions for a diverse range of problems often involving food security, biodiversity loss and livelihoods of fishing communities.