At Cape RADD, we offer a SCUBA for Science program, where any SCUBA certified diver can assist us with collecting data in the Great African Sea Forest. Become a Citizen Marine Scientist for the day, learn about the amazing marine life, explore the underwater world and contribute to conservation. All in a fun and unforgettable half day package. This is what you can expect:
What to expect
The day will start with a short educational briefing at the Ocean HUB, Simon’s Town. You will get to know more about the animals and environment you will be studying. We will show you how to identify certain target species that we will be looking for. The main aim of this citizen science project is to count how many fish, sharks, invertebrates (like octopus), rays and marine mammals (like dolphins and seals) we encounter during the dive. This information is then used to see how marine life communities are changing over time. It can also tell us if our marine protected areas are working and if there are sites which need more protection.
We will then get you into your SCUBA kit, all gear is provided. This includes an underwater data slate for writing underwater. Once ready, we will head to a predetermined dive site. On the dive, a marine biology dive specialist will take you on a route, all you need to do is follow and record the number of animals you see. Look out for octopus, sea breams, seals, short-tail stingrays, klipvis, nudibranchs and sharks. We will also have a camera on hand to take pictures of any interesting species we may find. We will also look out for cat sharks and shy sharks for our ongoing Finspotter project. Become immersed in the magnificent kelp forest and find hidden gems not often found on regular recreational SCUBA excursions. By having an objective, you will find that you are more likely to spot animals that you probably missed by aimlessly floating by.
After the dive, we will head back to the Ocean HUB and rinse ourselves off in a heated fresh water shower. We will then have a short debriefing session, this will include sharing stories of what we saw, and consolidating the data. You will become a part of something bigger, a memory that will last forever, and contribute to ongoing research. All photographs of the trip will be sent to you.
What will we do with this data?
The data we collect on this dive will be used by both Cape RADD biologists and those who request it. We are always looking to collaborate with students and governmental agencies. We will hopefully publish his data once we are able to see trends and patterns. Diversity data will also be made available on iNaturalist, the social media platform used to share biological data with naturalists from around the world.
Book a SCUBA for Science excursion now by following the link below. We can’t wait to explore with you.
Need to learn how to dive?
Why not begin your SCUBA diving journey by signing up for an Open Water Diver course with Impact Divers: