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.
Take a look at our previous Seasearch reports.
Seacearch report for 2008 (0.5MB file)
Seasearch report for 2007 (large file - 2.8MB)
Seasearch report for 2006 (large file - 1MB)
The map shows the sites of Seasearch dives in 2008 and previous years. Click on the map for a larger version.
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. The map in the recent report shows the sites that we have surveyed, they have included wrecks, rocky reefs, sand, gravel and seagrass beds.
At the moment we are particularly interested in seagrass beds and Seasearch divers have been helping to gather information 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. This is normally a one-day training session. After this course you'll be able to join in with Seasearch dives.
Seasearch Surveyor - Training will build on the participants' knowledge of marine habitats, species and ecology. This is normally a two-day training session.
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 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 in UK or temperate waters and you need a diving medical certificate (self certification is acceptable) and your own diving insurance.
Seasearch is for UK divers who are keen to take on a new challenge and to learn a bit more about the underwater world.
2009 Seasearch courses:
Sunday 20th September. Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex, Hard boat Wight Diver. Cost: £30 (2 dives) - linked to our Seasearch Observer course held on 18th July 2009 but open to all Seasearch divers.
2009 Seasearch dives:
Saturday 29th August. South-west Isle of Wight. Hard boat - New Dawn. £30
Sunday 13th September. West Isle of Wight seagrass beds. Hard boat - New Dawn. £30
Tuesday 15th September, Aggregates dives, Isle of Wight. Hard boat - Wight Diver. Free
Sunday 20th September. Bracklesham Bay seal foraging grounds West Sussex. Hard boat - Wight Diver. £30
Saturday 17th October. South-east Isle of Wight & seal foraging grounds. Hard boat - Wight Diver. £30
Diving prices include two dives from a hard boat and we are normally out for a full day. You must be able to supply all your own equipment. Although prices have increased for 2009 (reflecting price increases for boat charter due to elevated fuel costs) Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust still subsidise Seasearch dives.
To book on any of these courses or dives click for a booking form.
