Seasearch Marine ID course

[Ian B]

Just thought I'd put a plug in for the Seasearch marine life identification course.

I recently did this in Kent. The two day course was organised by the local Seasearch organisers, Bryony Chapman and Jon Bramley, and they had Paul Biggin from the Marine Conservation Society as the guest lecturer.

Day one was classroom based with illustrated guides to the classification of marine plants and animals. A lot was covered and all was made interesting, with good slides, hands on specimens and a fun quiz to reinforce what we'd learned.

Day two was a trip to study shore life at low water, covering different intertidal areas including rock pools. The highlight of this for me was when I found a group of eight immature cuttlefish and watched one change colour over different backgrounds.

The course was about £20 and can count as the BSAC SDC in marine ID if you want to pay for the sticker.

I've only recently got involved with Seasearch, but doing a dive based on recording marine life, especially if the info is collated and put to good use, is a nice alternative to the usual wreck dives.

I think its a case of the more you know where to look the more you see.

[Devil Crab]

When is the next coarse in Kent or dont you know?

[Ian B]

Originally Posted by Devil Crab

When is the next coarse in Kent or dont you know?

Not until next year, DC.

Check out their website - http://www.seasearch.org.uk/

[h2oonfilm.com]

I think its a case of the more you know where to look the more you see.

Thats a good point. Once tuned in to where they are or should be, then a lot more is there to be noticed.
Did one of their courses a few years ago, and would mention it also as being introduced more into a rich world that survive throughout the seasons due to conditions being satisfactory to them.... the interesting thing was identifying how many different conditions we travel through on one typical dive, especially in the top 10 meters.


stephen

[Dr Stevil]

Chesterfield, Derbyshire - 26th September - organiser Josie Pegg

Bath, 9th October - organiser Debbie Stenner

Aberystwyth - 16th October - Organiser Jo Porter


These are the remaining Seasearch Observer courses for 2004. I became a Seasearch Observer tutor earlier this year so if there was interest I could run an Observer course specifically for YD-ers, min number about 6 people max perhaps about 10. Could do it in Yorkshire at Jules's place as I'm a bit too far north being up in Tyneside.
Steve W