‘Dive into’ online virtual tour of Barrier Reef

Finding Nemo is about to get a lot easier with the launch of a scientific survey that will allow anyone with access to the internet to take a virtual tour of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

The survey, using a variety of high-tech underwater cameras, will carry out one of the most intensive studies of the reef up to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), with the public watching every step via YouTube and other Google sites.

“There are a whole series of ways of using the imagery and ultimately this is bridging a gap between science and public awareness,” said Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, chief scientist of the Catlin Seaview Survey.