SCUBAHUB
First steps to cleaner water
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED TO reforms for bathing waters, following a public consultation on the issue.
The update to regulations will be welcome news for scuba divers and snorkellers, as well as the wider community of water users represented by the Clean Water Sports Alliance, of which BSAC is a member.
The government says it is working on robust research and development on wider reforms, the first since 2013. These include expanding the definition of‘ bathers’ to include participants in water sports other than swimming, such as divers and snorkellers, but also paddle boarders, surfers, and many others.
It also plans to introduce multiple monitoring points at each bathing water location.
Applications for new bathing waters in England will re-open at the start of the 2025 bathing water season. Prospective sites will be assessed against the government’ s newly reformed standards, set to become law later this year.
The reforms to modernise bathing waters could also see swimmers( and snorkellers) enjoying flexible seasons while water quality and public health are prioritised at new sites.
Katherine Knight, Chair of BSAC’ s Environment and Sustainability Group, said she was encouraged by the announcement.
“ Cleaner bathing waters will benefit us as divers and snorkellers, as well as the broader community who use blue spaces for health and well-being. Importantly, improvements in water quality also benefit the natural aquatic environment in our waterways, and in turn in our oceans.”
Grant support for projects
THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA JUBILEE TRUST( BSAJT) has recently awarded two grants totalling £ 3,000 in support of projects in Thailand and the Red Sea.
A grant award of £ 1,000 has been made to University of Glasgow’ s Katie Grieve for her project on the effect of different reef characteristics on the settlement of juvenile fish in the reefs of Koh Phangan, Thailand.
A second grant of £ 2,000 goes to Leo Yokota, who is co-leading a team from Glasgow University to undertake a series of research projects in El Quesir, Red Sea, including an investigation into the proportion of coral impacted by increasing sea temperature.
BSAJT Chair Gavin Anthony welcomed the Trust’ s opportunity to support these projects and to assist divers to undertake valuable underwater research and projects.
“ I would like to encourage grant applications from other divers, groups and branches who wish to make use of their diving skills to improve our understanding and knowledge of the underwater world,” he added.
For further information on the Trust and how to apply for a BSAJT grant go to bsac. com / jubileetrust
PHOTO: KARL SHREEVES
Roz wins the fame game
LONGSTANDING BSAC MEMBER AND instructor Rosemary E Lunn has been inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame for her work championing the dive industry.
The 2025 inductees to the prestigious International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame( ISDHF) are unique as it is the first time that all members being inducted are women.
Established by the Cayman Islands Ministry of Tourism in 2000, the ISDHF celebrates dive industry leaders who have contributed to the success of recreational scuba diving worldwide.
Rosemary – known to many as Roz – said she was deeply honoured to be inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame.
“ Scuba diving has profoundly influenced and positively transformed my life. I am grateful to be part of this vibrant, supportive community that continues to inspire future generations to explore our oceans.”
An active BSAC volunteer, Roz also acknowledged the part BSAC had played in her long diving career.
“ Being the first BSAC instructor( female) to receive this honour is truly humbling— especially when I think of the‘ BSAC Greats’ who have encouraged me along the way and I am honoured to follow in their footsteps.”
The BSAC team wishes to congratulate Roz on her accolade, and her many years of tireless support for the diving industry. 9