Coral communities were surveyed at 15 sites across northern Arnhem Land in 2003.
Assessments were made using the following methods:
1. making collections and records using SCUBA
2. underwater still photography
3. video photography
Only corals requiring taxonomic study were collected. Corals were labelled, cleaned in chlorine bleach, and studied aboard ship. Specimens of continuing interest were sent to the Australian Institute of Marine Science. These specimens were intended to indicate what further study is required; they were not adequate for comprehensive species descriptions.
Where opportunity permitted, a list of species for each site was compiled by scuba diving. This work was restricted as follows:
1. coral collecting was not undertaken at some sites in accordance with the wishes of local aboriginal communities
2. scuba diving was not undertaken at some sites due to the proximity of crocodiles
Site descriptions included observations relating to substrate type, turbidity, exposure to wave action, coral cover (%), bleaching, crown-of-thorns starfish, coral disease and general condition of the site.
