Steve Slater joins the National Instructor elite
BSAC DIVER STEVE SLATER HAS BEEN awarded his National Instructor, 12 months after having to withdraw from the 2025 exam due to personal reasons.
Steve was determined to return and complete BSAC’ s highest instructor grade. And so, after completing the final two elements of the exam this summer, he has now gained his National Instructor, passing with a merit to become‘ NI number 284’.
A member of Severnside SAC and Wye Valley Scuba, Steve said it had been a longer than expected journey to National Instructor, having started his prep 18 months before last year’ s exam.
With his 2025 NI ambitions temporarily scuppered so close to completion, Steve said there was never a doubt he would return to finish what he started.
“ It’ s quite the commitment to complete National Instructor,” Steve told SCUBA.“ Your‘ diving calendar’ for the year very much revolves around the prep events and other instructor training courses for the required exam elements. So not finishing off NI wasn’ t really an option in my mind, it was just a question of when and how.”
With his new National Instructor card now safely in his wallet, Steve said that although a challenge, the experience had been really positive.
“ It feels good to get the recognition that my skills have developed and now meet the expected standard for National Instructor. And I can already see just how much my instructional skills have significantly
improved. I’ ve also had a lot of fun and enjoyment throughout the process and made some great friends along the way.”
For more information on the BSAC National Instructor grade, go to bsac. com / ni
The flapper of Findochty
A BSAC DIVER’ S VIDEO OF A FLAPPER skate off the north east coast of Scotland has contributed to a citizen science project’ s understanding of the critically endangered species.
James MacDonald, a member of Burghead SAC, was diving near Findochty in the Moray Firth with his buddy Kenny Munro in around 10m of water when the elusive skate came into view.
The flapper skate can grow up to 2.5m long, making it one of the largest skates in the world. It has been designated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature( IUCN) as‘ critically endangered’ due to overexploitation.
James said it was the look of surprise on his buddy’ s face that prompted him to start filming. He said:“ The skate was initially spotted by Kenny and when I saw his reaction, I knew he was clearly excited about something so I turned around and captured the footage.”
Burghead SAC’ s Marine Champion Kerry Fraser has since reported the sighting to the environmental group, Shark and Skate Citizen Science Scotland.
Dr Lauren Smith, who set up the Shark and Skate Citizen Science Scotland group, said the footage was an example of how divers can directly contribute to the understanding and protection of the vulnerable species.
“ The flapper skate is still listed as critically endangered but there is encouraging evidence to suggest localised population numbers are increasing. This is thanks to a commercial fishing ban back in 2009 as well as the catch and release policy for anglers and the protection of egg-laying sites too. However as they are large and slow growing, it will take a while for flapper skate population numbers to reach their former range.”
James’ sighting of the Findochty flapper skate has also been reported to the Shark Trust’ s shark citizen science project and will now be included in their international database.
Watch the video at bsac. com / flapperskate
Interested in helping the marine environment through citizen science?
Become a Marine Champion for your club! BSAC is currently growing its network of Marine Champions around the UK, and overseas, and aims to have over 100 by the end of the year. For more information and to register as a Marine Champion for your
Supported by club, go to bsac. com / marinechampions
9