Catlin Seaview Survey: Google Underwater Hangouts

In September 2012 Google, a founding partner of the XL Catlin Seaview Survey announced that they were taking their streetview platform “underwater”. In February 2014, at The Economist World Ocean Summit in San Francisco, Catlin Seaview Survey premiered this short video which celebrates the work the team have done to date.

19 countries, countless dives and 1 million images, and to think – we’re just getting started!

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XL Catlin Seaview Survey Videos

Documenting Bermuda’s Reefs: The XL Catlin Seaview Survey

The XL Catlin Seaview Survey, a project focused on documenting the health of coral reefs globally, included survey work around Bermuda. This initiative, a collaboration between Underwater Earth, The University of Queensland, and XL Catlin (now AXA XL), aimed to establish a baseline record of coral reef conditions.

A key component of the survey was the use of specialized underwater camera systems to capture 360-degree imagery. This data was then utilized to assess reef health and monitor changes over time.

Notably, the survey partnered with Google to make the captured imagery accessible through platforms like Google Street View. This collaboration allowed for wider dissemination of the survey’s findings and provided a virtual means of exploring coral reefs, including those surrounding Bermuda.

The survey work conducted in Bermuda contributed to the broader global dataset, providing information on the state of local reef ecosystems. This data is available through the Global Reef Record, serving as a resource for researchers and conservation efforts.

In addition to the general Seaview Survey, XL Catlin also supported the Nekton Deep Ocean Survey, which focused on the deeper waters surrounding Bermuda. This separate initiative explored the biodiversity of the deep-sea environment. The 2 surveys should not be confused.

The XL Catlin Seaview Survey’s work in Bermuda, in conjunction with Google’s platform, provided a valuable contribution to the ongoing documentation and monitoring of coral reef ecosystems.