The Transect Line - November/December 2024

2024 Year in Review

As the year draws to a close, I am reflecting on the incredible accomplishments we’ve achieved together over the last 12 months. On behalf of the entire Reef Check team, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our global community of volunteers, donors, and partners. Your steadfast support has been instrumental in making these achievements possible.

This year, Reef Check volunteers all over the world have dedicated countless hours to monitoring coral reefs and kelp forests. From restoring kelp along the Big Sur coast in California, to removing ghost nets in Malaysia, to training youth for careers in ocean conservation in Mozambique and starting a new program in Hawai’i, Reef Check teams around the world have achieved so much in 2024. I am immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Personally, a highlight was getting to know our partners at the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation and being part of teaching their scuba class in the Smith River in Northern California.

I invite you to take a moment to explore some of our key achievements from 2024, which you can find linked below. I hope you’ll be inspired and encouraged by the positive impact we’ve made on our precious marine ecosystems.

As we look ahead to the new year, I respectfully ask you to consider supporting Reef Check with a donation, if you’re able. Your generous contributions are essential in helping us meet the increasing demand for our work at a time when government resources for our work have expired due to budget cuts. Every donation, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated and strengthens our mission to protect and preserve our oceans. Next year marks the 20-year anniversary of our kelp forest program, so we have big plans and hope you will be with us to celebrate this significant milestone.

As we enter this holiday season, I send my warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. May this time bring you joy, peace, and renewed hope. Here’s to a new year filled with even greater achievements and continued collaboration for the future of marine conservation.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Dr. Jan Freiwald
Executive Director
Reef Check Foundation

2024 Highlights

Diving into Action: Urchin Removal is Reviving Kelp Forest in Big Sur

Faced with an alarming trend of sharp increases in purple urchin densities in kelp forests along the iconic Big Sur coastline in Central California, Reef Check teamed up with local community members and commercial fishers to implement a restoration strategy of early intervention of targeted urchin removal. The results were immediate and encouraging. By the fall of 2023, kelp had rebounded dramatically and this recovery persisted through 2024, with kelp densities stabilizing at levels similar to surrounding healthy forests.

Reef Check Malaysia Sees Continued Success with Community Marine Conservation Groups

Reef Check Malaysia recently established a seventh Community Marine Conservation Group in Mersing. These groups learn various skills to handle day-to-day marine conservation tasks and have achieved a lot of success since the first group was launched in Tioman. Click below for more, including the conclusion of a community-based waste management program on Larapan Island, RCM’s participation at COP16 in Colombia, and its recognition as a 2024 Star Golden Hearts Award winner.

Video Spotlight: Saving coral reefs via citizen science Star Golden Hearts Award 2024

Reef Check Malaysia was honored to be one of 10 organizations and individuals out of over 500 nominees to receive a 2024 Star Golden Hearts Award, an annual award by The Star that honors everyday Malaysian unsung heroes.

Watch Video

Reef Check’s
Winter Webinar Series

We have lined up some amazing talks for you to get your Reef Check fix over these winter months. The following is what is ahead for our Winter Webinar Series with more dates to come. Click below to register and add them to your calendar!

Dive into Citizen Science with Submerge & Reef Check in the Red Sea

Next July, join Reef Check Board Member Linden Wolbert (aka Mermaid Linden), videographers Justin Lutsky and Abbey Blake from Submerge, and Reef Check EcoDiver Trainer Dr. Ahmed Shawky for an unforgettable Red Sea adventure from July 5-12, 2025! This trip features: world-class diving on vibrant Red Sea reefs, Reef Check EcoDiver training and certification, marine mammal observation & underwater laser photogrammetry, and luxury accommodations aboard the MY Turquoise dive yacht.