Flinders Reef Ecological Assessment

BrisbaneThe Unidive FREA Team

$8,241

Raised of $8,000 AUD

Successfully funded on May 25, 2016
54 supporters
103%%

About This Project

Flinders Reef Marine Park is located off the tip of Moreton Island, just outside the entrance to Moreton Bay and has global significance as a breeding and feeding ground for protected and threatened marine life. It is
a subtropical reef, meaning it has a particular combination of both warm water species you would see further north, and cooler water species that you won't encounter on the Great Barrier Reef. It's surprisingly close to Brisbane and right next to a major shipping
lane - yet supports a remarkable abundance of wildlife.

*Quote from the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AIMS) - Queensland



Moreton Bay Marine Park is over 3400 square kilometers and encompasses many different marine habitats. Management
of this park also has to take into account a broad range of human activites, such as fishing, whale watching, diving, recreational boating, and commercial shipping. Flinders Reef is one of many "green zones" within the park, where all fishing activities are
banned to protect the local flora and fauna. Click on the map below to see the complex zoning of this amazing marine park!


Location of Flinders Reef in Moreton Bay Marine Park (edited from DNPSR zoning).

“Unknown to most people, Moreton Bay has an extraordinary diversity of corals [and] the coral communities of Moreton Bay are so unusual they have few parallels anywhere in the world and none in Australia. The word
‘unique’ is often overplayed but the corals of Moreton Bay are indeed that, to an exceptional degree,” said Dr John ‘Charlie’ Veron, a coral scientist who has dived on the Great Barrier Reef for 45 years.

Reefs in Danger

The current mass bleaching event is unprecedented, and the worst ever seen.
The continued loss of the Great Barrier Reef is an environmental tragedy and a huge blow to everyone who appreciate this natural wonder.

Coral pictures



We can see a stark difference above. From a healthy reef in a subtropical marine park on the left, versus bleaching and dead corals from the overheated sea of northern Great Barrier
Reef on the right (CoralWatch in The Conversation).



Then what happens next?!

How will coral survive? Where?

How will cooler climate reefs change?

Will northern species move south
towards sub-tropical reefs?

The only way to truly understand the scale of impacts, and predict the long term outcomes of these events, is to survey and monitor the reefs.



So what can you do? You can help us, help the reef!



Our team of volunteers will conduct marine surveys and habitat mapping at Flinders Reef, Moreton Bay Marine Park, and we need your support to make it happen!



The Problem

The more scientifically-viable survey data we can collect, the better reef management strategies will be, and so better the chance we have to save these important ecosystems from human impacts. But Flinders Reef, despite
its importance both as a refuge for wildlife and as one of Australia’s best dive sites, is just outside the management limit of Great Barrier Reef.

How can we all, as concerned citizens, help scientists

convince decision-makers to act?





Citizen
science is scientific research done by non-professional volunteers, usually under the guidance of professional scientists. Our project,
Flinders Reef Ecological Assessment (FREA) is a citizen science project
by volunteers from UniDive, The University of Queensland’s Underwater Club.

We will use the power of our diving volunteer members to survey Flinders Reef. UniDive is lucky to have marine scientist members who are keen to provide education, guidelines, and share
their expertise with new volunteers. Non-specialist volunteers learn how to collect crucial data needed for reef conservation. We also share our knowledge of marine science with the local community to spread the word about how we all can contribute to saving
our oceans.



data entry

Entering Data for Point Lookout Ecological Assessment.

© UniDive PLEA



Why Us?

Unidive currently has around 330 members and has a strong history of successfully conducting volunteer conservation projects, ecological assessments, and mapping of our local reefs.



The excellence of our 2014
citizen science project, Point Lookout Ecological Assessment
(PLEA) was recognised by Healthy Waterways, who granted
us two awards: The Waterways Stewardship Award, and the People’s Choice Stewardship Award.



Unidive members have gained skills, knowledge and experience in diving, surveys project, logistics,
report writing, videography, photography and presentations. Many of us have already become trained ReefCheck surveyors and trainers.


PLEA Team - 4 seasons of surveys. © UniDive
PLEA

Read
more about UniDive projects:http://www.unidive.org/unidive-projects/

Our successful marine conservation activities include:

• Clean Up Curtin Artificial Reef, Moreton Bay, Queensland, funded through Coastcare (2001)

• Baseline Ecological Assessment of Point Lookout Dive sites, Queensland, funded by
Coastcare (2001)

• Mapping the critically endangered Grey Nurse Shark (GNS) habitats, along the coast of South East Queensland, funded by Threatened Species Network grant (2003)

• Annual Reef Check Australia Training and Surveys by Unidive members in South East Queensland (2010 to 2016)

• Custodian for Grey Nurse Shark Watch at Flat and Wolf Rock, South East Queensland, providing information on the Grey Nurse shark population following the GNS protocol (since 2009)

• Clean Up Dives at North Stradbroke Island (2012 to 2016)

• CoralWatch coral health surveys for over a decade

• Point Lookout Ecological Assessment (PLEA) (2014, funded by Redland City Council and Sibelco Community Grants). Results were reported to the broader community (technical report, dive maps with conservation
info, presentations, and a book). The complete data set,
methods manual,
technical report
and maps are now publicly accessible online via Pangea. This project received two Healthy Waterways
Awards.

Why Now?

We are truly running out of time.
The consequences of climate change and other human activities are already impacting the reefs of Queensland. But we can start surveying our beautiful subtropical reefs now and continue to monitor over time to learn about how the ecosystem recovers and
adapts to new challenges.

There are known local challenges like run-off from farms and silt from river flooding, or even anchor damage.
Collecting data about how the reef reacts to both local and global challenges helps the marine park authorities determine their strategies to protect our precious reefs.



©
UniDive PLEA

How Will We Do It?

FREA will follow the process and methods of two internationally recognised organisations
Reef Check Australia and CoralWatch
to conduct underwater SCUBA surveys at several locations within the Flinders Reef Marine Park. We'll also create habitat maps of the reef. Our standardised surveys will collect reliable data about:

• Marine substrate (hard coral, macroalgae, etc)

• Invertebrates (lobsters, anemones, sea cucumbers, etc)

• Impacts (coral disease, extent of coral bleaching, rubbish, etc)

FREA will also provide information on other threats such
as coral disease, or potential
crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks.





©
UniDive PLEA

We need to understand how human impacts and climate change influence Flinders Reef over time. Our data will provide a much needed source of knowledge for immediate management towards protection and conservation.
Additionally, we will analyse the data and write a technical report, as well as submiting the data to Reef Check Australia
and Coral Watch, two NGOs dedicated to saving reefs worldwide.

We share our data from marine surveys with those who need it. That’s how we make a difference to help save the reef!

What's In It For You?

The marine environment belongs to all of us, and we hope you’re just as keen to save the reef as we are. Our appeal goes out to people who appreciate the reef and want to help conserve it.



If like us you are into community engagement, this is a way to participate in saving reefs!



Yes, you too can become a citizen scientist! Do you live near or regularly visit an area that has coral? 20 of our supporters who donate at least $50 will recieve Coral
Health Charts and another 20 supporters who donate at least $60 will receive ReefSearch Kits.
How exciting is that?! With the help of those kits, you will learn and be able to enter
your own data (from snorkeling, scuba, or even just a walk near a shore reef). But don't worry if you're not near any reefs - CoralWatch have also kindly donated 10 DVDs with beautifully illustrated information about coral.






Examples of how your donation helps our FREA volunteers...

* $10 - filling one SCUBA air tank (we'll need 100s!)

* $20 - one underwater slate for data recording (we need 24)

* $40 - boat operator cost for one volunteer’s survey dive

* $50 - one dry bag to keep important stuff safe on the boat

* $100 - one waterproof paper ream (for underwater data sheets and logs)

* $500 - one basic underwater camera (for visual documentation)

* $1000 - boat operator cost for 12 surveyors’ double-dive survey

* $5000 - one whole survey weekend

Use Of Funds

$8,000 Tipping Point Goal




Our tipping point goal of $8000 would be enough to make the FREA project worthwhile:


• Theory training for all our volunteers


• One volunteer practical training weekend


• Two survey weekends (some costs met by the volunteers)


• A range of publications including reef maps and a technical report


PLUS, if we meet our tipping point goal, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has agreed to provide us with additional funding, which would allow us to train more volunteers and do more surveys. The more people we train, the more data we can gather, and
the better it will be for the reef!



 


Our Ultimate Goal.... 


If we reach our Utlimate Goal of $20,000: 



• We will do more surveys - the more data we collect, the more it helps!


• We will be able to train more volunteers in marine ID - this is a legacy just as important as the data (if not, more so). Our volunteers learn a lot about their local marine ecosystems and are inspired to spread the word to the local community.


• We will produce a Flinders Reef photo book, the sale of which will provide funding for even more follow up surveys next year. Since we are a non-profit volunteer organisation, all money raised will go into UniDive marine ecology projects.





The
photo
book resulting from the previous 2014 PLEA project,
Straddie: Flora and Fauna of the North
Stradbroke Island Dive Sites, was very
well received, and is on sale at the North Stradbroke Island museum, with proceeds going to its local community. This Straddie book is also available to borrow from the
Brisbane
City Council Libraries.





image009.jpg





Sharing our passion with inspiring people, creating greater awareness and preserving our magnificent marine life is really our ultimate goal.  A goal that we should all share since our own life, as humans, also ultimately depends on the
health of our oceans.






 


Our sponsors


 



We’d get nowhere without the support of our sponsors; we give them a big heartfelt thank you!


• ING Direct Dreamstarter


• Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service


• Reef Check Australia


• CoralWatch


• Point Lookout Dive Charters


• Unidive: The University of Queensland Underwater Club Inc and
UQ Sport


• And everyone who donates to this campaign!

 


 






Also, if you’re wondering…


Our marine conservation volunteers pay half of the price for their survey dives and use their own equipment. So they are not in it for free dives and we’re not using this money to buy dive gear. The funds from this campaign will contribute to paying the
expenses and basic material required for this project, such as barge fares, accommodation, and dive boat charters. All material purchased will be used only for this ecological assessment project and future UniDive marine conservation projects. UniDive is a
non-profit incorporated association, so we’re even audited every year.


 



$20,000 Stretch Goal


Latest News

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Rewards

Select Reward
$10.00

An invitation to meet the team at a traditional Unidive barbecue, with presentations about how citizen science and local volunteers are making a difference to the marine ecosystem.

400 left

Select Reward
$20.00

Email newsletters throughout the project - we’ll keep you in the loop so you know what we’re doing thanks to your support! And of course, an invitation to our BBQ.

400 left

Select Reward
$30.00

A thank-you postcard featuring beautiful photos of the underwater environment, an invitation to our BBQ and our email newsletter.

100 left

Select Reward
$50.00

Coral Health Chart donated by CoralWatch. It provides a simple way for people to measure coral health and contribute to the CoralWatch global database. The Coral Health Chart is used by dive centres, scientists, school groups, and tourists. It is an engaging tool that provides people with accessible information and a hands-on experience. And an invitation to our BBQ, a postcard from the team, and project updates throughout.

20 left

Select Reward
$60.00

ReefSearch Kit donated by ReefCheck Australia. REEFSearch is a reef identification and observation program that can be used by anyone snorkelling, SCUBA diving, or reef walking, with no need for prior training. REEFSearch is an introduction to the hows and whys of reef ecology, reef monitoring and reef conservation. And an invitation to our BBQ, a postcard from the team, and project updates throughout.

20 left

Select Reward
$70.00

Coral Reefs and Climate Change Educational Video Series DVD from CoralWatch. Beautifully illustrated through animated diagrams and photos, interviews with scientists, clear language, and footage from around the globe. Each of these 22 videos explores a key topic in oceanography, coral reef ecology, climate change science, and reef conservation. These DVDs are intended for community education and are great for teachers to share with their students, or just anyone who wants to learn! Of course, you'll also be invited to our BBQ, receive a postcard and our email newsletter.

10 left

Select Reward
$500.00

A stunning 12”x12” canvas print featuring a unique underwater scene - truly a one-of-a-kind print. We’re only offering 5 and they’ll all be different! Unfortunately, we'll need to limit these to shipping within Australia (unless we can get them printed near you and shipped direct at a reasonable cost - please ask) as we'd honestly rather use the donations for our project than paying couriers :) You’ll also get an invitation to our BBQ, our email newsletter and a thank you postcard.

5 left

Select Reward
$2,000.00

Your organisation named as a major sponsor of our project. We’ll include your logo in project updates/social media and project outcomes such as community presentations, dive maps, info brochures, and if we reach our ultimate goal of $20,000 we’ll also provide you a copy of our photo book to display in your office. And of course, we'll also invite you along to our BBQ and send you a thank-you certificate to hang on your wall.

6 left