A wave of change has swept through the world of coral reef science, as scientists develop new ways to collect, collate and analyse data. The reefs are vital to the health of the planet, and humanity: while they cover only 0.2% of the seafloor, they support at least 25% of marine species. And they play a role in the lives of around 1 billion people around the world. 

MERMAID (Marine Ecological Research Management AID), developed by the Wildlife Conservation Service or WCS, allows marine scientists to collect data in a structured way. This is then shared with and analysed by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, or GCRMN, to identify global trends.

As an online/offline tool, MERMAID can be used to share data with local communities, as soon as it is collected,helping inform decision making, as they balance resource use and biodiversity management. 

National governments and other organisations can use data collected in MERMAID and collated in the GCRMN report, Status of Coral Reefs of the World, as they develop coral reef conservation and climate mitigation plans. The data is helping scientists and national bodies identify where corals are most resilient, and to ensure the survival of these important and biodiverse ecosystems.

In this episode, Jon Baston-Pitt is joined by two scientists who have played a key role in developing these platforms, the WCS’s Emily Darling, and the GCRMN’s Jérémy Wicquart. They explain how these platforms came into being, and the benefits they offer to scientists, stakeholders, and policymakers. Their work demonstrates the importance of creating standardised ways of collecting data, and of making scientific data widely accessible.

Host

Jon Baston-Pitt, Fugro

Guests

Emily Darling, Director of Coral Reef Conservation, WCS

Jérémy Wicquart, Technical Coordinator, GCRMN

Resource

Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2025– Call for data and guide for scientists

Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2020– Latest report

Photo credit

Julien Wickel