SCUBAHUB
Super grass join our survey
BSAC IS CALLING FOR ITS MEMBERS to get involved in the very first Great Seagrass Survey and help scientists understand more about this essential but vulnerable underwater habitat .
Over the late Bank Holiday weekend ( 27-29 May ), the Great Seagrass Survey will see divers , snorkellers and beachcombers take to the UK coastline to record locations of seagrass beds .
Organised by environment charity Seawilding , supported by BSAC and Project Seagrass , the survey aims to collate data so that a more accurate map of the UK ’ s seagrass population can be created .
“ Citizen science is key to our efforts to identify , protect and restore seagrass meadows ,” said Seawilding ’ s Science and Survey Officer , Eric Holden . “ The data collected over the Great Seagrass Survey weekend can make a real difference to the future health of our precious seagrass and the life these meadows help to sustain .”
The importance of seagrass
Seagrass plays a vital role in the health of our planet . It not only produces oxygen but protects coastlines , absorbs carbon and provides a home to many ocean species . However , seagrass is under threat from climate change , pollution and over-fishing .
How to get involved
BSAC members can now help protect the future of our seagrass meadows by signing up for the Great Seagrass Survey . BSAC CEO Mary Tetley said she hoped as many clubs and members as possible would get involved . “ Taking part in this essential survey will add an enjoyable and rewarding dimension to your diving , snorkelling or time spent at the coast . And it doesn ’ t have to stop there , as seagrass surveys can be incorporated into your diving throughout the year .” To participate in the Great
Seagrass Survey go to bsac . com / great-seagrass-survey where you can download survey resources , including a how-to guide , checklist and project map . Your chosen survey site can be a location where seagrass has already been identified , a potential seagrass site or a site of your own .
Once your survey has been completed , you will be required to upload your results via the seagrass survey form . All data collected over the weekend will directly contribute to ongoing work to help protect and restore seagrass meadows around the UK .
Kevin Heath with the trophy
Are you an expedition diver ?
CLUBS AND DIVERS ARE BEING encouraged to look ahead at their 2023 dive expedition plans and consider putting themselves forward for BSAC ’ s prestigious Expeditions Trophy .
With the closing date for award submissions not until 31 December , BSAC Expeditions Officer Andy Hunt believes now is the time to decide whether a specific expedition has what it takes to be this year ’ s winner .
Dating back to 1985 , the BSAC Expeditions Trophy is awarded annually to the team the judging panel consider has delivered the most significant exploratory diving expedition of the year . The award aims to highlight the ‘ true spirit of adventurous and challenging diving ’ and promote expeditionary diving at its best .
With the award open to expeditions both in the UK and overseas , its diverse roll-call of past winners means that the 2023 trophy holders will be in good company . Previous winning expeditions range from a student trip to follow in Jacques Cousteau ’ s ‘ finstrokes ’ to military expeditions and deep wreck discovery projects .
Keith Heath , the 2022 winner , said he was honoured to have been presented with the award . Keith and his dive team received the 2023 Expeditions Trophy for discovering and identifying the First World War wreck , HMS Jason , in 93m of water off the east coast of Scotland , where it had lain for over 100 years .
“ If I could choose to win one award in diving , it would have to be the BSAC Expeditions Trophy . We are so lucky in the UK to have so much history still to find , so many mysteries to solve , and so much coastline to explore ,” Keith added .
For more information on how to enter the 2023 BSAC Expeditions Trophy , go to bsac . com / awards
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