Welcome to Reef Life Survey

Reef Life Survey (RLS) aims to improve biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of marine resources through the production of high-quality survey information at spatial and temporal scales beyond those possible by scientific dive teams (which have to work with increasingly limited resources). It does this through the skills of experienced and motivated recreational SCUBA divers, as well as through partnerships with management agencies and a steering committee comprising managers, scientists and recreational divers (see RLS Steering Committee). RLS thus represents a dynamic cooperation between scientists, marine managers and recreational SCUBA divers, such that the skills and resources available for collecting, analysing, interpreting and effectively using broad-scale, sub-tidal biodiversity information are maximised.

Solitary Islands survey weekend by Kate Tinson

After less than ideal weather at Port Stephens, Reef Dragon and the RLS team pushed onward to the Solitary Islands. The land based team, Ashley and Margo Smith, Nicola and Tom Davis and Kate Tinson, joined the able bodied crew of Anna Berthelsen, Sam Griffiths, Jen Hoskin and our excellent captain Ian Donaldson for near perfect conditions.

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Port Stephens Survey weekend with Reef Dragon By Andrew Green

Of course, we had some good survey dives at Port Stephens, and some not so good ones. The dates coincided with 6.5m seas and lots of heavy rain, so as you would expect, the viz deteriorated, and not even Rick recommended surveying on the Sunday! But following up my PS trip with 9 days live-aboard diving at the Poor Knights in New Zealand, caused me to reflect a little.

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RLS Tropical Survey Expedition – Photos from the east

Here are a few pictures taken by RLS divers during the east coast leg of the Tropical survey expedition.

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RLS Tropical Survey Expedition – Photos from the west

Some pictures from the Western Australia leg of the RLS Lap of Australia survey trip. Read the story »

RLSF Annual Report 2011/12

To view the Reef Life Survey Foundation 2011/12 annual report, please go to the link below:

RLS Annual Report 2012 Final Web

Seasonal variations in fish species richness in Nelson Bay

Informal report on RLS surveys by RLS survey diver Tom Davis

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