In a worldwide first, millions of people around the globe can visit the Great Barrier Reef and take a virtual dive around Lady Elliot Island via the Street View feature on Google Maps.
The Catlin Seaview Survey, a series of scientific expeditions to explore and survey the world's coral reefs, has established a global partnership with Google. The survey team used custom designed technology and the world's first underwater tablet-operated camera to collect 360 degree panoramic imagery on the survey team's second pilot expedition to Lady Elliot Island in May 2012. These images have been stitched together to allow people to find Lady Elliot Island on Google Maps and experience a 'virtual' dive to explore the wonders of the reef on the coral cay.
"The fact that people can take a virtual dive from the comfort of their home or from the other side of the world is incredible. The imagery taken around Lady Elliot Island will be used to monitor any changes on coral reefs and raise awareness of how climate change and other environmental factors are likely to affect the reef" said Ms Mroz, Sales & Marketing Executive at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort.
"Not only will millions of people be able to see the beautiful coral and marine life surrounding the island, but they will also be able to use the scientific data that the Catlin Seaview Survey has collected on their expeditions through the Global Reef Record."
The official launch will be held today, Wednesday 26 September 2012, at the Blue Ocean Festival in Monterey, California.
Please visit the Lady Elliot Island pages on the Catlin Seaview Survey website: http://www.catlinseaviewsurvey.com/site/posts/day-1-lady-elliot-island
Dive in and take an underwater tour of Lady Elliot Island on Google Maps: http://goo.gl/kDcLN
Follow Lady Elliot Island on Google+: http://bit.ly/RQ01Pl
Audiences can view the live night dive via a Google+ Hangout today: plus.google.com/+catlinseaviewsurvey or youtube.com/catlinseaviewsurvey
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