ReefId is Building the Largest User Friendly Online Critter Database

(Dive Travel Business News - Sept 1, 2011) -- A unique resource is being built to help curious ocean adventurers identify the inhabitants they encounter.  Everyone from the advanced SCUBA diver and underwater photographer to the occasional snorkeler is helping build the largest user friendly online database of our ocean's inhabitants to date.  By utilizing the power of the public, everyone from the professional ocean adventurer to the casual aquatic vacationer can quickly and easily identify a chance encounter with one of our world's ocean inhabitants.

A die hard underwater photographer like the members at the Northern California Underwater Photographic Societhy (NCUPS), a devoted fish counter like the hardworking folks at REEF(The Reef Environmental Education Foundation, an equipment manufacturer like SeaLife Underwater Cameras or Ultralight Control Systems or simply an ocean enthusiast, are all driving the development of the ReefID resources.

In an effort to create one of the most comprehensive and useful databases of our ocean inhabitants, ReefID is accepting underwater photographs from anyone with anything from a simple point and shoot digital camera to a full blown SLR to populate it's unique and user friendly Identifier.

Each photo submission will be carefully examined by ReefID's identification experts to assure it's ability to help others identify the same species upon sighting.  Once accepted, it will then be placed in ReefID's database and displayed showing:

• Species Common and Scientific name
• Photo Taken By with contributor level
• Common geographic locations spotted
• Water column Locations (Bottom, mid water, open ocean, surface)
• Sighting Level (Common, Not so Common, Rare)

Reef ID appreciates every photo submission but not all photos will be posted in the identifier database.  Due to the commonality of some species, submissions will be much higher for some than others and a limit of 5 photos for each inhabitant is in place.  ReefID utilizes the Creative Commons License Deed.  Content displayed on the website is considered to be of public domain and is used for educational purposes.  Every effort possible to keep names associated with individual photographs together.

Even if a photo is not included in the ReefId Identifier database, ReefID Members will have access to log all sightings in a personal profile and accounting of each adventure.

In addition, ReefID will be providing:

• Travel tips and recommendations
• Photography resources
• Ways to become involved
• Organizational connections
• Social opportunities
• Presentation tools
• Ocean focused News and events info
• and much more...

Through promoting general ocean awareness and involving everyone with an interest in our oceans, it is Reef ID's hope that our oceans remain our most precious resource for generations to come. Visit ReefId for more info.

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