Reef Life Survey Diver Caitlin Woods
Reef Life Survey diver Caitlin Woods.  Image: Rick Stuart-Smith, UTAS

This project will involve integration of a national suite of reef biota Underwater Visual Census monitoring datasets (Reef Life Survey, University of Tasmania, Australian Institute for Marine Science, Parks Victoria , SA Department of environment, water and natural resources) to provide a comprehensive update to the state of Australian Reefs report for the next national State of the Environment Report. Maps and indicator trends will show changes in the health of rocky and coral reefs nationally from 2005 to 2020.

The update will include addition of a new index which summarises the population trajectories for 600-1000 reef species nationally. Individual species trajectories will provide the only threat status information for the majority of these species, assisting future listing of previously unassessed species if significant declines are detected.