Why are we here?

Dr. Stuart Sandin, Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Director of the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (CMBC)

We’re here because we all share a deep love for coral reefs and the incredible abundance of life they support. In this video, Dr. Stuart Sandin discusses the transformative power of large-area imaging technology and how it has revolutionized our ability to understand and share information about underwater ecosystems across time and space. Through the lens of Dr. Jim Porter's pioneering work on Jamaican coral reefs, Dr. Sandin demonstrates how imagery can capture the story of reef change over time.

Large-area imaging technology enables us to capture detailed 3D models of coral ecosystems, allowing us to ask and answer questions that were previously out of reach. It expands our view, letting us see farther, wider, and more of the underwater world than ever before. While there is no single solution to the challenges coral reefs face, by sharing knowledge, telling stories, and working together, we can improve the livelihoods of our coral reef communities. With this course, we aim to build a community dedicated to understanding the world's coral reefs and sharing the insights we gain.