ENVIRONMENT
Taking it further
Charting change
In the second of her monthly columns , Jane Maddocks explains how BSAC divers can help chart environmental change in their local waters
Last month I talked briefly about how a small branch project is giving Deeside branch the impetus to do something productive , so that diving becomes ‘ travel to fun ’ rather than an end in itself . We are all aware of how climate change is having an impact on the marine environment . As divers we can ‘ travel to fun ’ and help to record and quantify some of those changes , as projects and branch activities give an extra smile factor to our diving .
I was lucky enough to talk to marine biologist Keith Hiscock about how divers can be involved in charting change . Keith has been recording observations of marine life for over 50 years and was head of the Marine Nature Conservation Review of Great Britain . He was also instrumental in establishing the Marine Life Information Network at the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth .
He believes that observations made by divers who document what they see , and support observations with images , will be important in the future .
Keith says : “ Very few divers like filling in forms , but lots of divers will post the exciting events of the day on social media . Those of us involved in recording and interpreting events greatly value systematic and careful observations submitted to the many recording schemes out there . We also harvest information , including images , from what divers ( and many others ) post .”
As examples of how change can be charted , he talks about the frequent sightings of octopus in 2019 and 2020 , how variable blennies first recorded in Plymouth in 2007 by recreational divers are now spreading along the coast , and increased numbers of spiny lobsters . As divers , we are also becoming aware that the May plankton bloom seems to be getting a little earlier these days .
So , if we are up to the challenge of monitoring and reporting what we see , how can we do it ? One way is to get involved with Seasearch . Charlotte Bolton works for the Marine Conservation Society as the National Seasearch Coordinator . I asked Charlotte for an introduction that I could share with you .
Charlotte writes : “ Seasearch is a project for recreational divers and snorkellers who want to do their bit for the marine environment by collecting information about marine habitats , plants and animals that only they see under the water . We need Seasearch information from sites all around Britain and Ireland , including the Channel Islands and Isle of Man , so wherever you dive or snorkel , you can take part . “ You can carry out Seasearch surveys on your own , with your club , your buddy or on organised Seasearch dive weekends and longer expeditions . You can monitor your local dive site on a regular basis , tracking seasonal changes , or explore previously unrecorded places .
“ The information collected by Seasearch divers helps everybody responsible for marine nature conservation to identify what ’ s special about different areas , what ’ s going on that may be affecting them and to make informed decisions about protection or regulatory measures . “ Seasearch records , from recreational divers , have already made a big difference to how much we know about British and Irish marine life . We have collected over 30 years of data , all submitted by volunteers . From spiny lobsters to seagrass , we have plotted new records and led to new measures for protecting the most important sites in different areas . Seasearch volunteers have also spotted new or previously unrecorded species in Britain and Ireland . But there is much more to learn … which is where you come in .
“ You don ’ t have to be an expert to start off with because we ’ ll teach you what you need to know to become a Seasearch recorder on one of our training courses . You just need to be interested in the marine environment and want to learn more .” Visit
Seasearch . org . uk / training . html
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PHOTO : KEITH HISCOCK
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