The international citizen science program Reef Check is our communication, dissemination, and education strategy that enables us to achieve our objective of increasing the frequency and coverage of coral reef health information.

We are the Reef Check coordinator for Colombia, a training center for the Reef Check EcoDiver program, and the only reef Check EcoExpeditions operator in the country. The EcoDiver Program from the Reef Check organization and our Reef Check expeditions are the opportunities for recreational divers to contribute to monitoring the health of coral reefs in Colombia.  In so doing, we seek to increase the technical capacity and human resources to support it.

Organized 9 Reef Check EcoExpeditions to monitor coral reefs in San Andrés (3), Santa Marta (2), Isla Fuerte (2), Providencia (1) and Varadero in Cartagena (1).

Trained 75 divers and fishermen in the Reef Check monitoring protocol.

Evaluated the coral health of four coral areas and 12 dive sites.

Published seven (9) infographics highlighting the results of the coral reef surveys.

Fed and updated the Reef Check´s worldwide coral reef health database.

Contributed with updated data on coral health to environmental authorities in Colombia (CORPAMAG, CARDIQUE and CORALINA).

Pioneered the use of photogrammetry methods to monitor coral reefs in Colombia.

Using the globally standardized scientific protocol, the Reef Check EcoDiver program collects valuable data to establish the status of coral reefs world wide. The data are analyzed and used locally by marine park managers, nationally by fisheries and environment managers and internationally by organizations including United Nations agencies to help better track and care for coral reefs.

¿Did you ever dream of becoming a marine scientist, an explorer or do you just want to do something to help coral reefs? The Reef Check EcoDiver program is your opportunity. It allows anyone with an interest in the ocean – beachgoers, divers, and or fishermen – to learn more about tropical coral reefs. Reef Check combines education with action to give volunteers a unique experience while taking an active role in conserving the world’s reefs. The EcoDiver program allows participants the rare opportunity to work with teams of scientists throughout the world to understand how coral reefs are responding to stressors today.

With teams established in more than 90 countries and territories, there are a multitude of reefs to survey at nearly every diving destination worldwide. Experienced divers may also wish to participate in or take part in one of our Reef Check expeditions.

Using the globally standardized scientific protocol, the Reef Check EcoDiver program collects valuable data to establish the status of coral reefs world wide. The data are analyzed and used locally by marine park managers, nationally by fisheries and environment managers and internationally by organizations including United Nations agencies to help better track and care for coral reefs.

Following Reef Check Worldwide guidance, Reef Check offers Professional Training Workshops targeted at government, non-profit organization staff and dive professionals who would like to learn how to design a monitoring program for an MPA or actively involve coral reef users in marine conservation, to analyze and report on the data collected, to use the information generated from monitoring to make informed management decisions, and or as a tool to implement responsible diving. For more information on our Professional Training Workshops click please contact us and or Reef Check headquarters.