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Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom have proudly supported photographic reef monitoring since 2020, when we became one of the early tourism operators participating in the Photo Point Enhancement Project (PPE) developed by local marine educator Reef Teach in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).
The original pilot project aimed to investigate how geo-referenced underwater photography, combined with emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technology, could complement the existing Eye on the Reef monitoring program by providing an even more detailed understanding of changes occurring across individual reef sites over time.
Although our participation was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our crew commenced training and monitoring in July 2020 and have continued contributing ever since.
As the success of the original project became evident, the methodology was incorporated into the federally funded Tourism Reef Protection Initiative (TRPI) and further developed into today’s Tourism Weekly Photo Point Monitoring program.
Using a standardised underwater monitoring trail, trained Eye on the Reef crew capture more than 100 high-resolution photographs from precisely the same locations, camera angles and distances during every survey.
This consistent methodology allows scientists to compare images over months and years, providing an exceptionally detailed visual record of changes in coral communities, reef structure and overall reef condition.
Following each survey, every image is uploaded to ReefCloud, where it is analysed using a combination of:
This combination of advanced technology and expert interpretation provides valuable information that complements Reef Health and Impact Surveys (RHIS), Tourism Weekly Surveys and other Eye on the Reef monitoring activities.
Tourism Weekly Photo Point Monitoring is normally undertaken each month at our monitoring sites, creating a continuous photographic record of reef health throughout the year.
Additional surveys may also be completed following significant events such as:
These additional records provide scientists with valuable information on both the impacts of these events and the remarkable resilience and recovery of the Great Barrier Reef over time.
Every Tourism Weekly Photo Point survey completed by Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom contributes to a growing body of scientific knowledge used by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and research partners.
By combining detailed photographic records with reef health surveys and on-water observations, we are helping build a more complete understanding of the Reef—supporting evidence-based management and ensuring future generations can continue to experience one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.