Turning coral reef data into action in the East Asian Seas with MERMAID

Описание: How can we turn field observations into powerful conservation tools for the East Asian Seas? In this regional discovery webinar, the ‪@wildlifeconservationsociety‬, ‪@UNEP‬, ‪@unenvironmentprogrammeasia4482‬, ‪@cobseasecretariat6031‬ the ‪@gefscssap‬, and the ‪@globalfundforcoralreefs4344‬ join forces to introduce MERMAID.

What is MERMAID?
MERMAID is a free, open-source web application that helps scientists and managers collect, manage, and report on coral reef health data in real-time. As the designated digital tool for the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), MERMAID is currently tracking 10 core indicators and 35 sub-indicators to measure the success of reef conservation worldwide.

Why this matters for the East Asian Seas:
Following the 2025 Bali regional workshop, stakeholders across the East Asian Seas identified a critical need for streamlined monitoring. This session explores how MERMAID can:

→ Build synergy between national monitoring systems.
→ Support regional reporting requirements for COBSEA and SCS SAP.
→ Bridge the gap between raw data and on-the-ground restoration and financing.

Featured Speakers:

→ Mahesh Pradhan, Coordinator, UNEP-COBSEA
→ Anders Poulsen, Senior Project Manager, GEF/UNEP SCS-SAP Project
→ Alexandra Kler Lago, Field Support & Partnerships Manager, WCS / MERMAID
→ Karenne Tun, Coordinator, GCRMN East Asia

Resources:

→ Explore the platform: https://datamermaid.org/
→ GFCR Monitoring & Evaluation Toolkit: https://cdn.sanity.io/files/bcil16f4/...


00:00 Welcome & Webinar Housekeeping
05:00 Opening Remarks: The Future of East Asian Seas Monitoring
10:30 Global Context: GFCR & GCRMN East Asia Perspectives
15:00 Virtual Group Photo & Session Transition
15:45 Deep Dive: Discovering the MERMAID Platform
22:30 Real-World Use Cases: Enhanced Reef Reporting
30:15 Connecting MERMAID to Global Coral Initiatives
38:00 Key Features & Future Developments
45:00 Regional Support: Capacity Building & Training
60:00 Q&A: Building Synergy with National Data Systems
72:00 Discussion: Bridging the Gap Between Data and Action
80:00 Concluding Remarks: Opportunities for the East Asian Seas
85:00 Next Steps & Regional Priorities