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By Alyssa Brewer
Published Aug 28, 2013 at 8:00 am

The Bermuda Zoological Society is looking for at least six more volunteer teams to participate in Reef Watch on August 31.

Fourteen teams have volunteered so far to participate in the citizen science research project.

Each team, which includes a boat and four snorkellers, will spend the day making observations and collecting data on Bermuda’s reefs. The Reef Watch programme is designed to be an annual “check-up” by volunteers on the health of the reefs.

Each teams is also asked to raise $500. The funds will go towards research and conservation efforts for the reefs.

“This project began as an attempt to address the recent loss of funding support for monitoring the health of our reef system,” BZS President Richard Winchell explained.

“The $500 raised per team entry will go directly to sustain reef monitoring by our scientists and interns, supporting our conservation and education mission,” he added.

Participants will be given training before August 31 to teach them what to look for while collecting data. They will also receive a specially designed slate for recording their findings.

A dinner at Barr’s Bay Park with a special field report and prizes for the top fundraisers will conclude the event.

The lead sponsor, Hiscox, has agreed to support Reef Watch annually.

“The reef protecting Bermuda is the northernmost coral reef system in the world and it’s important we do all we can to preserve it,” said Jeremy Pinchin, Hiscox Bermuda’s CEO.

“We’re proud to be a sponsor of this vital initiative and I’m very pleased to add that quite a few of us from the Hiscox office will be donning our masks and flippers to take part in the project.”

Information about the event and registration forms can be found on the BZS website at www.bzs.bm or by e-mailing development.bzs@gov.bm.