Laura Arton and J’Jyla Rogers of HLSCC CAMS record field data during training dives while Gaby Carpenter (LSU) looks on. Photo: Viktor Brandtneris/Reefs Unknown

Funded by the UK Darwin Plus Initiative, the project involves training a first cohort of conservation professionals, the acquisition of specialised underwater photography equipment, advanced software licenses, the development of asynchronous and online training modules, and data storage infrastructure – all to ensure CAMS is fully equipped for ongoing reef monitoring.

In January 2025, the initiative launched with a week-long intensive training on Large Area Imaging (LAI)—a state-of-the-art photogrammetric method that stitches together thousands of overlapping underwater images to produce photorealistic 3D models of coral reefs.

The training, hosted at HLSCC, was led by Dr. Dan Holstein’s Seascape Ecology Laboratory at Louisiana State University, with key support from Reefs Unknown, a USVI-based coral conservation NGO.

Eleven participants from HLSCC, the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change (MENRCC), and the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands (NPTVI) completed the course—marking a new era of local expertise in reef monitoring using high-resolution mapping and modeling.

“Photogrammetry is a powerful tool for marine conservation,” said Susan Zaluski, HLSCC’s Director of Marine & Maritime Studies. “But it also has broad applications in other fields. As we develop training modules, we hope to attract students not just from marine sciences, but also from areas like computer science—disciplines that the public may not immediately associate with marine conservation.”

Since the training, Laura Arton, Marine Programme Coordinator at HLSCC, has been leading the production of orthomosaics—ultra-high-resolution digital images—of three critical coral reef sites in the VI. These visual data sets are now being analysed for coral coverage, algae proliferation, and signs of bleaching, providing an invaluable window into the health and resilience of local reefs.

“Photomosaics offer a game-changing solution for rapidly assessing changes in our reef health, especially given the limited availability of trained personnel and resources,” said AArgel A. Horton, Environment Officer II at MENRCC. “This initiative is a major step forward in safeguarding our reefs by offering concrete, visual evidence to assess the effectiveness of conservation strategies.”

The project is being overseen by a Steering Committee composed of local environmental leaders, including Dr Cassander Titley O’Neal, Director of the National Parks Trust, and Ms Horton. The collaborative relationship with Dr. Holstein’s lab was first forged in 2024 when the team began mapping the RMS Rhone Marine Park, sparking interest in bringing this technology further into the Territory’s reef management strategy.

“That initial visit was a real eye-opener,” said Dr. Titley O’Neal. “We saw the full potential of photogrammetry and are excited to see it being applied to protect even more of our reefs.”