Volunteer survey diving in the Solitary Islands, Coffs Harbour - join SURG in their new fish and coral baseline surveys

AN opportunity not to be missed - volunteer survey diving in one of NSW's best diving spots, the Solitary Islands.

Recently SURG gained funding through the Federal Government's Caring for Our Country initiative to conduct research related to the changing distributions of targeted fish species as a result of warming ocean waters due to climate change.

"The research program will be conducted over the next 18 months and the data collected through this initiative will contribute to a statewide program being promoted by the National Science Marine Centre, Southern Cross University, and the coastal NSW Catchment Management Authorities" Mr Edgar said.

A second grant, awarded to SURG through the state government's NSW Environmental Trust, will enable SURG members to gather baseline data on coral health in the Solitary Islands Marine Park over the next three years.

A protocol developed by the University of Queensland, and in use by the CoralWatch program, has been used to assess coral populations across northern Australia and overseas.

Past studies in the marine park by Southern Cross University scientists, and using SURG trained volunteers, have ascertained that several families of hard corals are susceptible to both bleaching and disease.

SURG invites certified scuba divers residing in the local community to take part in these research activities by becoming members of SURG.

For more info, check out this link.