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Join BSAC ’ s new oyster quest
BSAC IS LAUNCHING A NEW DIVING project designed to support the UK ’ s endangered wild native oyster beds and is looking for divers to get involved .
Following the success of last year ’ s Native Oyster Quest photography competition organised by the Zoological Society London , BSAC has launched Operation Oyster , which aims to gather data on the native oyster populations in and around the British Isles .
According to the Zoological Society London ( ZSL ), wild native oyster beds of Ostrea edulis are probably one of the most endangered marine habitats in Europe .
In the UK , wild native oyster populations have declined by over 95 % over the past 200 years due to a variety of effects , including historic overfishing , habitat loss , pollution and introduction of diseases .
These once abundant but now extremely vulnerable creatures play a key role in the marine ecosystem , by providing habitats for other species , storing away carbon and filtering up to 200 litres of seawater a day .
Led by Expeditions Coordinator Andy Hunt , BSAC ’ s Operation Oyster , will now provide an opportunity for divers to contribute something environmentally valuable in the course of their normal diving , using tools and technology readily available to the budding citizen science diver .
The data gathered on UK native oysters by
Operation Oyster will be used to support work already underway with other agencies , with the aim of ultimately helping restore oyster populations and the seabed .
Andy is now putting together a core team of volunteers with skills in marine science , video editing , social media and applying for grants to help run a large BSAC citizen science project .
As the project is established and rolled out , Operation Oyster will also need members , clubs and centres to participate .
Know your seahorses
BSAC PARTNER AND MARINE CONSERVATION CHARITY , THE Seahorse Trust , has launched an online version of its popular seahorse biology , ecology and conservation course . The Trust is now offering BSAC members a discount as an introductory offer to the new online course .
Supported by a grant from Sea-Changers , the course is made up of 12 modules on this fascinating and unique species . There is also a free introductory session to try before committing to the entire course .
Alongside its campaigning efforts to protect marine areas and end the illegal trade in wildlife , education and awareness-raising are a core purpose of The Seahorse Trust .
Neil Garrick-Maidment , Founder and Executive Director of The Seahorse Trust , said : “ Current circumstances accelerated the need for The Seahorse Trust to move its educational content online and we are hugely grateful to Sea-Changers for enabling us to do so .
“ In facilitating the online accessibility of our educational resources , Sea-Changers has allowed us to reach a much wider potential audience and I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to spread these important messages far and wide .”
The Seahorse Trust is now offering a discounted price to BSAC members at £ 50 , saving them £ 15 on the course , as an introductory offer . To access this deal – which ends on 26 May — simply state you are a BSAC member and provide proof of active membership when signing up .
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SCUBA ( Jan 2021 )