By Sarah Laran, Sub-editor/Writer
Wednesday, September 04, 2013 9:25 AM

The inaugural Reef Watch citizen science research and awareness drive on Saturday has so far so far raised some $15k.

The money will go towards the continued conservation and research of Bermuda’s economically critical reef systems.

Survey: Volunteers saw lots of parrot fish but hardly
any groupers and snappers. *Photo Chris Burville.

The inaugural event organized by the Bermuda Zoological Society attracted some 100 participants — in 20 boats. Chief scientist Thaddeus Murdoch told
the Bermuda Sun: “We were thrilled to see so many people sign up for the first year was great.

“We have not been through all the data yet but so far we have seen that coral bleaching is a factor which we expected because it has  been a very hot summer for the reefs of Bermuda. As part of the fish surveys done on the day, we also saw there were lots of parrot fish but not a lot of predatory fish like groupers and snappers which is a big shame.”