Catlin Seaview Survey launches at World Oceans Summit in Singapore
Catlin has announced its sponsorship of the Catlin Seaview Survey, a major scientific expedition that will strengthen the understanding of how climate change and other environmental changes are likely to affect ocean ecosystems.
Coral reefs provide food and income for approximately 500 million people worldwide. They underpin fisheries and tourism worth billions and are home to countless forms of undersea life.
According to the World Resources Institute, Southeast Asia contains nearly 100,000 square kilometers of coral reefs, almost 34 percent of the world’s total. The economic value associated with coral reefs in Southeast Asia is substantial. The value of the region’s sustainable coral reef fisheries alone is US$2.4 billion per year. In addition, coral reefs are vital to food security, employment, tourism, pharmaceutical research, and shoreline protection. The coral reefs of Indonesia and the Philippines provide annual economic benefits estimated at US$1.6 billion and US$1.1 billion per year, respectively.
Coral reefs also face an uncertain future due to the impact of climate change and other changes to the environment. Scientists believe that these reefs may serve as an early warning system for wider changes to ecosystems around the earth.
The Catlin Seaview Survey is an important scientific expedition that will document the composition and health of coral reefs, particularly the impact of rapidly increasing sea temperatures and ocean acidification.
The Catlin Seaview Survey will be conducted mainly on the Great Barrier Reef, off the east coast of Australia. The project will include three separate surveys, including the first comprehensive study of deep-water coral reefs.
The Survey also aims to raise public awareness of potential changes to our planet's oceans. Through an innovative partnership with Google, individuals will be able to follow and participate in the undersea exploration via the internet through various Google channels, including YouTube, Google Earth and Google Maps.
For more information about the project and the scientific research, visit the Catlin Seaview Survey website or follow our Catlin Seaview Survey Facebook page
