Single visit species recording
The Seasearch Observer Form is used information on seabed and seabed cover type but largely is useful for recording a species list from a site. An Observer course is the usual introduction to Seasearch recording and teaches the basic of underwater recording, habitat surveying and species identification.
This is a one-day course aimed at giving divers & snorkellers new to the project and new to marine recording a basic grounding. At the end of the course you should be able to complete the Seasearch Observation Form and take part in Seasearch dives/snorkels either on your own, with your club or on dives organised by Seasearch partners.
During the course you’ll learn about Seasearch – its aims, history and achievements, a basic introduction to the variety of marine life in Irish and UK waters, recognising and classifying marine habitats, position fixing, and how to fill in the Observer Form.
The course includes a course pack and identification guides and recording slates are available to purchase giving you everythng you’ll need to go ahead and get started. The tutors are all divers themselves and keen Seasearchers.
A real dive isn’t a part of the course but usually one is arranged locally for you to practice your techniques with a tutor on hand. Where two days are shown in the list below the course usually takes place on the first day with diving on the second.
At the end of the course you’ll get a Seasearch Qualification booklet. Once you have completed 5 forms for real (two on dives with a tutor present) you can get signed up as a Seasearch Observer.
