ENVIRONMENT
Taking it further
Why don ’ t we ...?
Jane Maddocks has more suggestions for projects , including temperature checks of your favourite dives
At a cold and rainy inland quarry , a citizen science specialist made me think . He said : “ A project starts when two people come up from a dive and say ‘ I ’ ve just had an idea . Why don ’ t we …?’ Thank you , Richard Walker .
Ok , so , why don ’ t we …? Have you had a really good idea for a short-term project and want to give it a go , but aren ’ t sure how to go about it ? If that ’ s you , then think about what may be stopping you . Perhaps you could start by checking out the guide to small diving projects on the BSAC website , but if you ’ re still not sure there are lots of people you can ask for advice . Examples of those who can give good advice are your Regional Coach , BSAC ’ s Expedition Advisor or me at jane . maddocks @ bsac . com Even if between us we don ’ t have the answers , we will know someone who has .
One idea that would be good to follow up is recording the sea temperature on a regular basis at your favourite dive site . If you record the temperature three or four times over a year at the exact same spot , you will start to get reliable figures . At the same time , if you note what marine life is within several metres of the place where you record that temperature , you can create a baseline of information that you can build on over the next few years . Regularly taking the temperature at the same point and depth could help to record temperature change , and any possible effects on the marine life within a given range of the sampling spot .
This is important work , and qualifies as a real contribution to our understanding of the potential effects of climate change . It can apply just as powerfully to a gentle snorkel across seagrass beds in just a few metres , or on that wreck at 50m that ticks all your diving boxes .
It is even applicable to rock pooling , so perhaps it ’ s time to break out the wellies , grab a thermometer and have some family time . The important thing is that it
is exactly the same place , using exactly the same measuring device , and exactly the same method of recording the marine life at exactly the same distance from where you take the temperature .
If this interests you then let me know , and we can start to build up an effective reporting form . Then we can start creating a database that is scientifically sound , and great fun to populate . I am about to start mine off with my regular wreck dives planned in April , July , and October 2022 . I will be taking the temperature at the bow in 35m and carrying a tape and board to record the marine life at one metre distance North , South , East , and West . As the wreck is metal then my buddy will be pointing me in the right compass direction from two metres above me .
Taking it further might also involve researching a new wreck or finding more about the story of a wreck that is already a favourite . There are so many resources out there that sometimes it ’ s hard to know where to start . Some wrecks such as the Thistlegorm are now fully documented , with superb 3D modelling . The ships of the German High Seas Fleet in Scapa Flow are accessible , and the whole scuttling event is told in briefings that are comprehensive and exciting .
A knowledgeable skipper giving a good site brief is always useful , if you ’ re diving from a charter boat , but if that knowledge is not available then there are lots of other sources .
All have their plus points , but there are pitfalls . The story of the wrecked ships off the D-Day beaches in Normandy is an evolving account of identifying types as well as identities of the remains . Southsea SAC is doing a project that will help to identify the wrecks accurately , so that descendants can know exactly where the last resting place of their family member is . Next month I will be looking at some of those sources , including some good online sites , books , and places to visit for more in-depth research . �
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