ENVIRONMENT
Protect Our Seas
News and views from the world of marine heritage and conservation
Great whites push north
Climate change is pushing great white sharks into new waters where they are causing populations of endangered wildlife to plunge . Heating of the oceans , which reached record levels in 2020 , has led young great white sharks to move 370 miles northwards up the coast of California since 2014 .
Over that time there was a dramatic rise in sea otters killed by white sharks , with the number in Monterey Bay dropping by 86 %. “ White sharks aren ’ t just another species – they ’ re an apex predator and all eyes are on them in the ocean ,” said Kyle Van Houtan , of the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California . The shifting of species ’ ranges is a global phenomenon , he said . “ What we ’ ve detected here is just a harbinger of much broader patterns .”
Taking it further |
We spend lots of time and energy learning have mastered the basic skill set ? For me , realising I could use my diving as ‘ travel to fun ,’ hit me as I went down the shotline on my first volunteer dive on the Mary |
some really important projects , events , or activities that you could get involved with . These will all be of benefit to our underwater world , wherever you are , once back in the water .
Lockdown isn ’ t easy , but it can be useful for planning activities . For
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Introducing a new column by Jane Maddocks , who leads BSAC ’ s Diving Activities Group . Here , she explains how divers can use their skills for conservationthemed projects
Rose ! Why I dived changed for me at that moment . Diving with a purpose is very satisfying . Realising that you are doing something to support the marine environment in the struggle with climate change is even better . In future columns , I will talk about
NEW column
example , Naomi Watson and the divers from Deeside branch in Aberdeen are thinking ahead for a summer 2021 project . The wreck of SS Trebartha is shallow , broken up , and ideal for early workup dives . Newly qualified divers and more experienced divers can use their skills to record , identify and photograph what remains . Naomi tells me that the dives and research will tell Trebartha ’ s story . They will identify what remains of the structure , and record the marine species on and around the wreck . Any abandoned fishing gear still catching marine life will be reported . All this will go on their branch web page . The branch will have a focus , and they will all be able to contribute to the final outcome . Their project is a snapshot of what is there now . In the future , changes can be spotted ,
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