Due to a paucity of data on coral reefs in the region, environmental impact studies inevitably  involve extensive dive reconnaissance and the collection of quantitative data to assess the status of the reefs.  Should good quality reefs be present in the vicinity of a coastal development project, mitigation measures are specified and monitoring programmes implemented to ensure the sufficiency of these measures and whether they are being complied with. 

Quantitative survey techniques include line intercept transects to determine the percentage cover of live hard coral, soft coral, and other life forms.  A fish belt transect is often deployed to assess the diversity and abundance of fish associated with the reef. The reefs and a description of their quality are mapped onto a GIS database, where impacts of, for example,  suspended sediment plumes, may be assessed.

Permanent monitoring stations are established to record indicator variables at specified intervals.  Changes in, for example, hard coral growth rates may be indicative of the early stages of stress, while assessments of live coral cover and other life forms enable the detection of mortalities should they occur.  Underwater photography is used as a visual record of changes between monitoring visits.