Catlin Seaview Survey To Study Coral Health On Great Barrier Reef

The Catlin Seaview Survey is the first comprehensive study of coral health on the Great Barrier Reef to an unprecedented depth range of 100 meters.

AsianScientist (Feb. 24, 2012) – A pioneering scientific expedition that will document the health of coral on the Great Barrier Reef will be undertaken as a joint venture between global technology giant Google, the University of Queensland Global Change Institute, not-for-profit organization Underwater Earth, and insurance company Catlin.

The Catlin Seaview Survey, announced in Singapore this Thursday, aims to carry out the first comprehensive study of the composition and health of Reef coral to an unprecedented depth range (0-100 meters).

The expedition will launch on the Great Barrier Reef in September 2012.

“For the first time in history, we have the technology to broadcast the findings and expedition through Google,” said the project’s chief scientist, Professor Hoegh-Guldberg from the Global Change Institute.

“Millions of people will be able to experience the life, the science and the magic that exists under the surface of our oceans,” he said.

A special camera developed specifically for the expedition will capture thousands of 360-degree underwater panoramas. When stitched together, these will allow people to choose a location, dip underwater, and go for a virtual dive at all of the locations visited by the expedition.

Google is collaborating with the Catlin Seaview Survey so that the 360-degree panorama images can be uploaded and made available to millions of people worldwide on Panoramio.

The project also will have a dedicated YouTube channel and the ability to broadcast Hangouts on air, which allows people to watch livestreams of the expedition team from the ocean floor.

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Source: University of Queensland; Photo: Catlin Seaview Survey.
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