Reef Check and BioObs: Two accessible protocols for scuba diving photographers.
Reef Check and BioObs explained for underwater photographers: learn about the methods, required training, and how to incorporate these citizen science.
Do you need to be a biologist to participate in a Reef Check program?
No. The EcoAction training offered by Reef Check typically takes one to two days. It teaches participants how to identify indicator species, the transect method, and how to record data. Underwater photographers without a scientific background regularly participate in this training and make valuable contributions.
Do Reef Check and BioObs monitor the same species?
Not quite. Reef Check focuses on coral reefs and indicator species of reef health, such as target fish, invertebrates, and coral cover. BioObs is more general and applies to Mediterranean seabeds, Posidonia seagrass meadows, and rocky substrates.
Can I participate in BioObs projects without any prior training?
Yes, to some extent. BioObs accepts observations from individuals at the "observer" level, even without specific training. However, data from trained observers carries more weight in scientific analyses. The BioObs Mer training is relatively short and is often offered by dive clubs and marine reserves.
Can I combine underwater photography with a Reef Check survey during the same dive?
Yes, but with discipline. Conducting a survey requires following the transect line without straying, which limits creative freedom in composition. Ideally, it's best to have a dedicated survey dive in the morning and a separate, unrestricted photography dive in the afternoon. On less frequently visited sites, some teams use a fixed camera on the transect to combine both activities.
Does the Reef Check program only operate in tropical regions?
No. Reef Check Méditerranée has been operating since 2008 and uses a protocol specifically adapted to the local species and habitats, including seagrass (Posidonia), gorgonian corals, grouper, and sea urchins. Surveys are conducted in French and Spanish marine reserves, such as Banyuls-sur-Mer, Les Medes, and Scandola.
Where can I find a Reef Check training course in France or Belgium?
EcoAction training courses are organized by local Reef Check chapters. In France, marine reserves such as Banyuls-sur-Mer and Les Medes host annual sessions. Visit reefcheck.org for upcoming dates. In Belgium, clubs affiliated with LIFRAS sometimes offer introductory sessions to the BioObs protocols.
Are the data collected by Reef Check actually used?
Yes. Reef Check produces reports on the status of coral reefs in over 90 countries since 1997. This data feeds into reports from the IPCC, IUCN analyses of coral reefs, and has directly influenced management decisions in several marine protected areas.
Underwater photographic ethics are based on the principle of not disturbing marine life: no manipulation of animals, no contact with the seabed, and a minimum observation distance that respects the comfort zone of the species. The photographer steps back to allow the authentic behavior of the subjects to be expressed.
The first time I heard about Reef Check, it was during a dive in the Banyuls-sur-Mer reserve with a researcher from the local oceanographic observatory. He was counting sea urchins along a 50-meter transect while I was photographing gorgonian corals a few meters away. When he explained that his data from that day would be included in a comprehensive report on the state of Mediterranean reefs, I realized that a dive could have a dimension that my photos alone could not capture.
That day, I became interested in marine observation protocols that are accessible to scuba diving photographers. Reef Check and BioObs are the two most relevant for French-speaking divers. Here's what it involves and what it offers.In a nutshell: Reef Check and BioObs are two citizen science protocols that are accessible after a short training course, allowing any underwater photographer to contribute to real data about the state of marine ecosystems.
Why these protocols exist
The vast majority of data on the health of reefs and seabeds comes from professional scientists with limited budgets, small teams, and a necessarily partial geographic coverage. The power of citizen science protocols is to exponentially increase this coverage, with divers already present at the sites, in locations that research teams do not visit every year.
However, for this data to be scientifically valid, it must be collected in a standardized manner. Two different observers at two different sites must record exactly the same things, in the same way, so that their data can be compared. This is precisely the purpose of a protocol.
Reef Check: the international standard
Reef Check is a program founded in 1996 by Dr. Gregor Hodgson, who was then a researcher in Hong Kong. It is now the most widely deployed coral reef monitoring program in the world, with data from over 90 countries since 1997.
The EcoAction methodThe basic method is called EcoAction. A 100-meter transect is laid out on the reef at a specific depth. Teams of divers conduct surveys along this transect, each member having specific roles.
The observations and notes recorded include: - Percentage of substrate coverage (live coral, dead coral, algae, bare rock, sand, debris) - Indicator fish species (groupers, parrotfish, snappers, surgeonfish, and other groups defined according to the region) - Indicator invertebrates (sea urchins, sea cucumbers, feather stars, lobsters, starfish) - Visible stress factors (bleaching, diseases, mechanical damage)
One or two divers from the team photograph the transect at regular intervals to visually document the survey. This is where the underwater photographer brings a unique perspective.
EcoAction Training
The training takes one to two days. It covers the identification of indicator species (30 to 40 species for tropical coral reefs, fewer for the Mediterranean), the transect method, and the use of survey forms. No prior scientific training is required.Reef Check Mediterranean has been operating since 2008, using a protocol adapted to local species and habitats, including Posidonia seagrass, gorgonian corals, grouper, purple and white sea urchins, and sea cicadas. Surveys are conducted in the reserves of Banyuls-sur-Mer, Les Medes in Spain, and Scandola in Corsica.
BioObs: The French and Generalist Version
BioObs is a protocol developed in France by the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) through the INPN platform (National Inventory of Natural Heritage). Unlike Reef Check, which focuses on coral reefs, BioObs covers the entire marine biodiversity of France and Belgium, from rocky seabeds to Posidonia meadows and soft substrates.
Two Levels of Participation
"Observer" Level: You submit your observations without specific training. The data contributes to the biodiversity atlas but carries less weight in formal analyses. It is compatible with iNaturalist for French species, as the two platforms exchange data.
"Surveyor" Level: After a short training course (a few hours in person or online), you conduct surveys according to a protocol defined by the MNHN. This data is directly integrated into the formal scientific analyses of the INPN, and carries more weight in conservation decisions.
What BioObs Offers That Is DifferentBioObs is geographically more accessible for Belgian and northern French divers. The species covered include those found in cold and temperate waters, not just tropical coral reefs. The survey method at the observer level is also lighter than Reef Check EcoAction, which makes it easier to combine with underwater photography in certain conditions.
Comparative Table
Criterion
Reef Check
BioObs
Scope
International
Primarily France and Belgium
Target Habitat
Coral reefs (including the Mediterranean)
All marine habitats
Training
1 to 2 days (EcoAction)
A few hours (observer level)
Effort per dive
High (strict protocol)
Variable (light to moderate)
Data Interface
Reef Check global
INPN / BioObs France
iNaturalist Compatibility
Indirect
Direct (data sharing)
Integrating Protocols into Your Underwater Photography Routine
The practical question that every underwater photographer asks: can you take photos and conduct a survey during the same dive?For Reef Check EcoAction, the answer is generally no for most roles. The protocol requires complete focus on the transect, the counting, and the data sheet. However, the role of transect photographer (taking photos at regular intervals along the transect) is perfectly compatible. You document the survey using your usual photography equipment, and your contribution is directly integrated into the report.
For BioObs Mer, it's more flexible. The observer level is completely compatible with a normal underwater photo dive. You simply note what you see without the constraints of a transect. The monitor level imposes a framework, but it remains adaptable if the site allows.
The strategy I now use at sites where I know the protocol is this: a first dive dedicated to the survey in the morning, and a second, free-diving photo dive in the afternoon. The knowledge gained during the survey (where the interesting subjects are located, which species are present, and the condition of the seabed) makes the photo dive more effective. The two activities complement each other.
The training: what it really involves.For Reef Check EcoAction: find local chapters on reefcheck.org. In France, the marine reserves of Banyuls-sur-Mer and Les Medes (Spain) organize annual sessions. The training is usually inexpensive, often between 50 and 100 euros depending on the organizers, and sometimes included in a diving package.
For BioObs Mer: the training is available online through the INPN (French National Museum of Natural History) and in person through partner diving clubs. Search for "BioObs training" on the INPN website or contact local marine reserves that regularly organize sessions for their volunteers.
In Belgium, some clubs affiliated with LIFRAS offer introductions to observation protocols. Inquire with your club or the marine nature reserves along the Belgian coast.
What it changes, in practice
Participating in Reef Check or BioObs changes your perspective underwater. You begin to see patterns that you didn't notice before: the distribution of species by depth and substrate type, seasonal variations, and the condition of the seabed compared to what you observed the previous year at the same site.Understanding the environment you're photographing enriches your images because you gain a deeper understanding of what you're capturing and why it's there. A grouper resting on a gorgonian coral becomes something more when you realize that this association is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem, and that you've contributed to documenting it.
The overall ethical framework of responsible diving, within which these practices are situated, is outlined in the article on SDI Green Fins and responsible diving in 2026. And for the entire citizen science approach in underwater photography, the article on underwater photography, ethics, and citizen science provides the guiding principles.To become an underwater photographer who contributes to science while also improving your technical skills, the AquaExposure training course integrates ethical considerations and photographic techniques into a cohesive learning path.
Reef Check and BioObs: Two accessible protocols for scuba diving photographers. | AquaExposure
