Reef Watch

After our annual underwater class photo, we dove near the coral nursery to get some practice at a protocol of reef health evaluation called Reef Watch.

We're all gathered behind the banner posing for our annual class photo.  We have a trick to get pictures that aren't marred by lots of bubbles.

After the photo shoot, Josh's team is posing with what appears to be some kind of gang sign.

Two of the girls are posing for Andrew while making a triangle shaped symbol.  Looks like some sort of sorority devil worship sign.

The dive instructors laid out two 10 x 10 meter areas on the sea floor so the students could conduct the Reef Watch protocol. 

You swim a back and forth grid over the area while marking on the plasticized booklets information about coral cover, algae, and other attributes of the reef.  Ultimately, you get a numerical score that gives you an approximation of the health of the reef.

Charlie.

I think Hanna.

Charlie.

Maddie.

Julia might be checking her nails while inspecting the reef.