The non-profit association Reef Check has taken on the monitoring and protection of coral reefs in the UAE.
In the UAE, they seriously took up the protection of coral reefs, which are considered one of the most unique in the world. The UAE's Reef Check is conducting a study to help preserve and protect the region’s coral reefs, which are facing a number of threats, most notably climate change.
This work is part of the efforts of the international community, in which ordinary citizens and scientists from around the world collect information about oceanic coral reefs, while all the data obtained is stored in a global database. Further information is used to track the status of coral reefs in different parts of the world.
"Reef Check was founded in the United States in 1996, and is mainly a voluntary conservation organization dedicated to the conservation of coral reefs throughout the world. The organization has several branches around the world, including in the UAE. Each unit is responsible for controlling coral reefs in its region. “Over the next months, the UAE Reef Check intends to more actively monitor and protect reefs in the country,” said Rebecca Pentti, a marine specialist and coordinator of Reef Check in the UAE.
Pentti explained that volunteers who join the group do not have to be specialists, all that is required of them is to be experienced divers who want to help nature.
“Volunteers who want to join us do not need to have professional knowledge in marine science or biology to help. We are a civilian scientific organization, ordinary people with ordinary work, who want to change something,” Ms. Pentti added.
“The only requirement for our volunteer is to be an advanced open water diver, to have at least 25 long dives behind him. If he meets these minimum requirements, we will conduct a three-day training consisting of theoretical and practical parts,” the coordinator added.
Anyone wishing to participate in the program can register on the official UAE Reef Check Facebook page.
