March 20, 2008
Unique DIVE WITH A RESEARCHER Program Announced
The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) has announced a limited number of openings in its unique DIVE WITH A RESEARCHER (DWAR) program. This innovative opportunity provides certified scuba dives with a chance to dive and gather data alongside a working scientist. According to Dr. Carrie Manfrino, President and Director of Resarch at CCMI,
"There is a certain fascination and mystery about aquatic research. Divers have long asked us questions about how we conduct our research, the type of training and techniques that we use and other diverse questions. We developed the DIVE WITH A RESEARCHER program to give divers a chance to experience the research process first-hand. The response has been overwhelming and we're looking forward to doing more in the coming months."
Dr. Manfrino outlined multiple opportunities for divers that include:
Function of Fluorescent Proteins in Corals presented May 3-9, 2008
Search for Invasive Species presented May 10-17, 2008
Searching for Lobsters presented August 2-8, 2008
Herbivorous Fish & Reef Resiliency August 9-15, 2008
CCMI research provides important insights into the regional and global decline of coral reefs and tropical habitats. In 2008, the projects continue to focus on coral reef disease and coral reef regeneration potential. Participants in the DIVE WITH A RESEARCHER program must be certified scuba divers and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
For complete details on the program, visit the DWAR page here: CCMI Dive With a Researcher
Program. The CCMI website also contains additional important details.
Posted by Dida at 11:27 AM
January 11, 2008
Monterey Penisula College Offers Dual NAUI Master Diver and Reef Check CA Course
Please do not contact me regrading this course. Instead email Cyndi Dawson. But as a member of the first class of Reef Check CA divers, I can vouch for how great a program it is!--Dida
Hi all-
If you are interested in improving your dive skills, getting your NAUI Master Diver Certification, and becoming a certified Reef Check California dive this class if for you. (You can download a flyer @ reefcheck.org :: View topic - RCCA Course offered at Monterey Peninsula College). The class will give you an introduction to research diving techniques and safety guidelines. Completion can result in NAUI Master Diver Certification. The class will also include the Reef Check California Diving curriculum which teaches divers to collect scientifically robust data on California’s rocky reef that is provided to marine managers to better inform their decisions (Reef Check - Saving Reefs Worldwide).
This is a semester long course at Monterey Peninsula College beginning February 7th – June 5th.
MUST SIGN-UP BY February 4th.
Course Instructors:
Cecilia Shin - NAUI Course Director and head of Recreational Scuba Program at UCSC. She has been diving and teaching in the Monterey Bay Area for the past 14 years. cecil @ ucsc.edu (831)-345-9745
Cyndi Dawson, M.S. - NAUI Instructor since 1997, she has worked as a subtidal biologist for the past 7 years and currently is the Regional Manager for Reef Check California. cdawson @ reefcheck.org (831)-331-5189
HOW TO SIGN-UP:
Monterey Peninsula College Admission Application Introduction
Registration Steps:
1. Submit the web Application for Admission or the paper copy Application for Admission to the Admissions and Records Office.
2. Request to have all college and high school transcripts mailed to the Admissions and Records Office at MPC.
3. Register during registration dates using using WebReg (Web Registration), Mail-In (not available during summer session), or In-Person.
Note: Registration will not be accessible until an Application for Admission is submitted.
Hope to see you in class,
Cyndi
Posted by Dida at 1:07 PM
January 8, 2007
Santa Monica Baykeepers Training Feb 8, 2007
Just got news from a fellow Reef Check CA diver that the Santa Monica Baykeepers are doing a training on Thursday, Feb 8, at 7pm at Eco Dive Center. Brian says, "I've been volunteer diving with them for almost a year now, and there is no SoCal diving experience like it! Another way to do some giving back with your diving. It has made me a much better diver also! Free boat rides and air fills too! They go out to to Malibu or Palos Verdes about 3 times a week, weekends and weekdays."
They need new divers, so check out more about the program at their website or see the PDF flyer.
Posted by Dida at 4:40 PM
March 4, 2006
Reef Check California Update
I recently asked Craig Shuman, Director of the Reef Check California Program, to submit something to BPD about what's happening with this new program. I've participated in some of the "beta-testing" of the protocol, and have been impressed by how much thought has gone into developing a new program for recreational divers that will yield rich data for scientists. This program demands a lot more from its participants than some other recreational diver surveys, and it will be interesting to see how the program shapes up over the coming years. I truly wish Craig the best of luck with it, because he has clearly devoted a lot of time, thought, and heart to its success. Help support the rocky reefs of California by signing up for some training.
He recently sent me this note, along with a couple photos (copyright Nick Fash, Courtesy FASHPIX.com) from an Anacapa survey.
==================================
Our new California rocky reef monitoring program is out of the gates and off to a great start. Thanks to the help of our scientific review team and dedicated volunteers, the California survey methodology and species lists have been reviewed and field tested at several locations throughout the central coast. To date, we have been in the water with experts from the California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Santa Monica Baykeeper, UCLA, UCSB, and UCSC. We have also conducted three orientations in Monterey to introduce local divers to the program. These activities have provided us with valuable feedback to help ensure our scientific and educational objectives are met.
There is still limited space available in the July San Luis Obispo and August, Monterey trainings. Visit our website today to download the protocol and sign up for a training before they fill up! See Reef Check California
Posted by Dida at 4:57 PM | Comments (1)
November 22, 2005
Santa Marta (Colombia) Research Diver Course
The Fundación Bucea Colombia will be offering its Third Research Diver Specialty Course Dec 12-18th. To learn more about the program, visit the Fundación Bucea Colombia site.
Posted by Dida at 3:14 PM
September 5, 2005
Catalina Conservancy Divers: Research Diver Training
Catalina Conservancy Divers (CCD), an excellent non-partisan organization that works to maintain and survey Catalina Island's key species, is offering research diver training to all certified divers beginning Sept. 10 of this year. Advanced training is not necessary, though candidates are encouraged to be trained at Rescue Diver level.
Successful candidates will be qualified to dive with CCD on projects conducted through the Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies.
Details regarding the scope of training can be found here.
Posted by Dida at 10:10 PM
