Seasearch Project
Seasearch - Exploration and Information
Divers can get involved in conserving marine life around the coasts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by recording what they see during their dives. Seasearch is a national project coordinated by the Marine Conservation Society and we have been running it locally for several years in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
You'll gain marine biological knowledge and a better understanding of the species and habitats you see on your dives. You'll also be contributing records which help build up a picture of what is happening and which plants and animals live on our local seabeds.
For a brief summary of what we got up to in 2010, have a look at our
2010 Newsletter
Our newsletter for 2011, detailing our Shoresearch activities this year, will be available shortly.
Take a look at our previous Seasearch reports for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight:
Seasearch Full Summary Report for 2010 (2.0MB file)
Seasearch Full Summary Report for 2009 (0.3MB file)
Seasearch Full Summary Report for 2008 (0.5MB file)
Seasearch Full Summary Report for 2007 (large file - 2.8MB)
Seasearch Full Summary Report for 2006 (large file - 1MB)
The latest National Seasearch Newsletter and Annual Report is also available:
National Seasearch Newsletter 2010
Seasearch Annual Report 2010
Our current focus
We are interested in surveying sites anywhere around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, especially new areas where we have no previous information. Habitats we visit regularly include rocky reefs, sand, gravel, seagrass meadows and wrecks.
We are particularly interested in seagrass meadows. These are nationally scarce, but thanks to the sheltered nature of much of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s coastline, we have some fantastic examples of this habitat on our doorstep. Seagrass meadows play a hugely important ecological role: they stabilise sediment with their roots, helping to reduce coastal erosion, while their leafy canopy creates a wonderfully complex habitat that provides protection from currents and predators. The meadows act as nurseries to fish such as bass, and a prime location for cuttlefish to lay eggs. We are keen to find out more about our local seagrass meadows and Seasearch divers have been helping to gather information on our seagrass beds as part of the Solent Seagrass Project.
We also monitor gravel sites close to where aggregate extraction is taking place. These sites are full of marine life and it will be interesting to see how much they are affected by this commercial activity.
We organise Seasearch dives to a range of sites during the summer months but it's worth remembering that once you've learnt the survey techniques ...... ANY dive can be a Seasearch dive.
Training
You don't need any specialist knowledge to get involved with Seasearch, we can provide the training you'll need.
There are three levels:
Seasearch Observer - This is the entry level qualification which introduces the diver to marine life, seabed habitats and basic recording techniques. It starts with a one-day classroom based training session, after which you'll be able to join in with Seasearch dives. Once you've completed the training session and completed 5 forms from dives (including two on dives with a tutor present) you can get signed up as a Seasearch Observer.
Seasearch Surveyor - This course lasts two days and includes a dive on the second day. The Course content is an expansion of the Observer Course and covers a much wider range of marine life and habitat classification. The course is assessed and successful participants can carry on and become Seasearch Surveyors after completing a further five forms and an ID test.
Seasearch Expert - at this level you would be expected to plan and undertake specialist ecological diving surveys and have a detailed knowledge of marine ecology.
Special interest courses - These are for divers of any Seasearch level and cover topics such as Seagrass survey techniques or sponge identification in greater depth. Look out for these courses on the national Seasearch website.
Dive in....
Seasearch is for UK divers who are keen to take on a new challenge and to learn a bit more about the underwater world around them. Seasearch is open to all divers with a qualification equivalent to or above BSAC Sports diver or PADI Advanced open water. You'll need to have completed at least 20 dives, at least 10 of which must have been in UK or temperate sea waters. You'll also need a diving medical certificate (self certification is acceptable), your own diving insurance, and be able to provide all your own kit, including two cylinders.
2012 Seasearch courses and dives
Each year we run Observer courses and dives and endeavor to offer at least one Specialist course too. For 2012, so far we have the following dates arranged. Plans have not yet been completed so please check this page regularly and/or join our mailing list for updates.
OBSERVER COURSES
Saturday 14th April 2012. Observer course. Location: TBC (likely our HQ in Botley, SO32 2DP). Cost: £40 (includes a course pack). £20 deposit required.
A second Observer course will also be arranged shortly. Date is TBC but will likely be in April or May.
DIVE SCHEDULE 2012
Each diving day includes two dives from a hard boat. They are organised, and subsidised by us to encourage local Seasearchers to dive locally, and on the understanding that Seasearch forms are filled out for all the dives. Dive sites for each date are not finalised until the day of the dives as our marine conservation work at the time and weather often influences where we chose to dive. However, all our sites are in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area. Additional dates to those listed below will be added as they’re arranged. Please see the booking section for how to book on these dives and note that although dives get booked up quickly, people often drop out so if you’d like to attend it is well worth being added to the reserve list so we can let you know if a space becomes available.
Sunday 15th April 2012. Price: £40. Vessel: Shogun. Depart from Lymington. 2 SPACES LEFT.
Saturday 23rd June 2012 – Price £30. Vessel: Wight Spirit. Depart from Lymington.
Saturday 14th July 2012. Price £30. Vessel: Wight Diver. Depart from Eastney.
Saturday 25th August 2012. Price £30. Vessel: Wight Diver. Depart from Eastney.
Sunday 9th September 2012. Price £30. Vessel: Wight Spirit. Depart from Lymington.
Dates are likely to be added in the near future. Please note that although all our dive days depart from Hampshire, in some cases, pick up and drop off from the Isle of Wight may be possible. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss this option.
Join our Mailing List
People on our Seasearch mailing list receive updates on Seasearch activities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, as well as our annual reports and dive/course schedules for the coming year. We also occasionally send out information regarding the National Seasearch project and Seasearch activities in neighbouring counties that we think may be of interest to you. If you’d like to be added to our mailing list, please contact Amy on 01489 774444 or AmyD@hwt.org.uk .
How to book
Spaces are limited so it's never too early to book your place. Contact our Marine Officer Amy Dale on 01489 774444 or AmyD@hwt.org.uk for further information about any of the courses or dives. To book please download this booking form and send it by email to AmyD@hwt.org.uk or by post to Amy Dale (Seasearch), Hampshire Wildlife Trust, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hants, SO32 2DP. You'll be notified by email when it’s been received. Please note your place will not be secured until your payment is received – see booking form for payment information. We are unable to refund deposits (for courses) / full payment (for dives) within one month of the course/dive date, unless a replacement can be found for you. Please note that our dive days are run at a subsidised rate on the basis that you will return Seasearch forms and/or photos within one month of the dive date.
In 2012 Seasearch is supported by the Peter De Haan Charitable Trust and Ideas tap.
