A coral bleaching monitoring protocol is currently being developed jointly by ReefBase⁵, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) to increase data quality and the coverage of bleaching records.

• This protocol will provide a range of tools that can be used in varying situations depending on the time and resources available.

• Available in late 2003, this protocol will be available on the ReefBase web site, as well as in published form.

• In the interim, ReefBase has a summary bleaching report form (http://www.reefbase.org/input/bleachingreport/index.asp) on its web site, which has been developed in conjunction with the NOAA Coral Watch program. The form can be filled in online or downloaded for offline completion and returned by email. All records submitted to ReefBase are immediately added to the global bleaching database and incorporated into all online queries and map products.

About the Protocol

The problem: insufficient quantitative data on regional and global bleaching patterns

• Most reports of bleaching are anecdotal and many are provided by people with limited training in quantitative ecological assessments.

• Those studies with quantitative information use a wide variety of techniques, which makes regional comparisons very difficult and any global synopsis unreliable.

• A standard protocol for assessment and monitoring would promote a higher quality of data, and a higher level of consistency between different reports.

• A standard protocol would also facilitate the ongoing development of a global database on coral bleaching events.

Purpose of this protocol: who will use it?

• The protocol will be designed to assist individuals and groups with an interest in the impacts of coral bleaching on coral reefs. It will offer advice to a range of people with varying backgrounds, skills, resources and interests. In general, the protocol divides potential users into the following groups:

1) Volunteer groups and recreational divers with an interest in reef conservation and threats

2) Scientists with formal training in marine science who are able to record information during field trips but whose primary focus is not coral bleaching

3) Members of volunteer organizations with an interest in monitoring coral reef status and threats (e.g., ReefCheck)

4) NGO and management agencies wishing to assess and monitor the impacts of coral bleaching and examine possible relationships between bleaching and factors that could either increase or decrease the impacts to reefs

5) Scientists conducting formal assessments of coral bleaching who want to ensure that their data will be comparable to that of other studies and who want to contribute their summary data to a global database.

How should the protocol be used?

• As an aid in making immediate reports on coral bleaching when seen in the field

• As a guide for the development of structured assessments for bleaching

• In conjunction with the GCRMN Methods Manual

• As a sourcebook for selecting an appropriate procedure from those described here. Where possible, formal design and planning of a monitoring program should be conducted in consultation with scientists, managers, users, and other relevant experts/stakeholders.

How should data be used?

• Data should be lodged in a properly maintained database and backed up regularly.

• A summary of the data should be submitted as often as is reasonable to ReefBase.

• Data should be analyzed and written up as a report as soon as possible, then submitted to the GCRMN regional or national node coordinator or ReefBase.

⁵   ReefBase (www.ReefBase.org) is a global information system for coral reef conservation and management developed by the WorldFish Center. It offers a range of information, tools and resources for managers, students and scientists relevant to managing reefs for sustainable use and production. ReefBase stores all records of coral bleaching worldwide. It currently has over 6000 records in its database, which can be accessed as reports, graphs and maps.