Our Team
CoralWatch is based at The University of Queensland, Australia, and is supported by members all over the world. Find out more about our team and our enthusiastic Ambassadors.
Prof. Justin Marshall
Chief Investigator
"The time for thought and discussion is over and the time for action and tough decisions is here"
"Since my first reef encounter at the age of 6, I have been fascinated by their biology and in love with their beauty. I absolutely refuse to accept that humans are not capable of preserving this fantastic ecosystem into the future but currently, we are not doing a very good job.
One of the reasons for designing the CoralWatch system as it is and the reason for coordinating and helping to write our book is to engage the community in this process. The time for thought and discussion is over and the time for action and tough decisions is here. I am very fortunate to be able to work on reefs every day and spend as much time as I can there. My kids have seen it and they love the vibrance of the place and the animal life. I am now working for them so that, when they get to my age, their children will have the chance to also draw energy and, where necessary, nutrients and livelihood from coral reefs.
Our current best estimates tell me that this is unlikely, but the fantastic CoralWatch team and our growing band of volunteers around the world are working hard to prevent their degradation by spreading knowledge and helping to come up with practical solutions.
Please join us in this effort. Don’t be swayed by the ignorant, lazy and selfish approach of ‘sceptics’ who apparently do not care for the future of their children or yours, and who grasp at any opportunity deny or distort plain fact. Don’t engage with this band of no-hopers, leave them trailing in your dust and help to secure a future for our planet that includes the beauty and bounty of the coral reef. With your help, we can do this."
One of the reasons for designing the CoralWatch system as it is and the reason for coordinating and helping to write our book is to engage the community in this process. The time for thought and discussion is over and the time for action and tough decisions is here. I am very fortunate to be able to work on reefs every day and spend as much time as I can there. My kids have seen it and they love the vibrance of the place and the animal life. I am now working for them so that, when they get to my age, their children will have the chance to also draw energy and, where necessary, nutrients and livelihood from coral reefs.
Our current best estimates tell me that this is unlikely, but the fantastic CoralWatch team and our growing band of volunteers around the world are working hard to prevent their degradation by spreading knowledge and helping to come up with practical solutions.
Please join us in this effort. Don’t be swayed by the ignorant, lazy and selfish approach of ‘sceptics’ who apparently do not care for the future of their children or yours, and who grasp at any opportunity deny or distort plain fact. Don’t engage with this band of no-hopers, leave them trailing in your dust and help to secure a future for our planet that includes the beauty and bounty of the coral reef. With your help, we can do this."
Diana Kleine
Project Manager
"Isn’t it great to have a job where you can show, and teach people about, the amazing underwater world and help to preserve it? "
I truly enjoy working with many different communities and raise awareness about something that is so close to my heart, the marine environment. I am originally an art teacher, graphic designer and dive instructor and learned about the reef by being out there all the time and working closely with many marine scientists at UQ for the last 23 years.
A lot of people don’t realise that this beautiful underwater environment is rapidly changing and don’t realise the impact their daily life has on ocean life. I hope our new publication “Coral Reefs and Climate Change, What can I do?” will inspire even those who have never seen a reef, to get involved."
A lot of people don’t realise that this beautiful underwater environment is rapidly changing and don’t realise the impact their daily life has on ocean life. I hope our new publication “Coral Reefs and Climate Change, What can I do?” will inspire even those who have never seen a reef, to get involved."
Karen Johnson
Outreach assistant
"The marine environment fills me with a sense of unbridled joy. "
The long school holidays camped by Aussie beaches began my enduring connection and fascination for the ocean and all its inhabitants. I’m happiest at play in the sea so not surprising I’m a keen diver and ocean swimmer. My background is in environmental protection and I’m passionate about empowering people to become natural resource managers through citizen science. Our reefs and marine life are facing unprecedented challenges and they need our help. People protect what they love and through CoralWatch’s monitoring program I’m able to show people how they can make a difference and protect the health of our reefs. And together little drops of water make the mighty ocean.
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Marta Panero
Social Media / Outreach assistant
“I have always been very passionate about understanding how the marine ecosystem works and about the biology and ecology of marine creatures.”
My experiences range from scientific diving, underwater photography, to research and data management and analysis. I have worked for years on understanding the role of gorgonians (Octocorals) as ecological engineers on coral reefs. I have gained experience in working in various NGOs in remote communities, as well as in working for larger projects (e.g. Saudi Arabia). I am now excited to be working for CoralWatch, aiming to share my conservation and ecology knowledge with a wider community. In my day-to-day work, I take care of the database, social media outreach, community events and administration tasks.
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Our Ambassadors
CoralWatch works with a team of very passionate Ambassadors. They are located along the Queensland coast and can help you with local activities and events.
