Scuba & Conservation: Kelp Restoration Diver at Central Coast

The purpose of this continuing education course is to familiarize the certified diver with the skills, knowledge, planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems, hazards, and enjoyment of underwater activities that will protect and restore kelp and kelp forest ecosystems.

Upon successful completion of the Kelp Restoration Diver course, graduates are considered competent to engage in underwater kelp forest restoration diving activities without supervision, provided the diving activities and the areas dived approximate those of training.

You must also book your spot on the Beachhopper II Charter for the same day of your course. The reduced cost for this dive charter is $60 and payable directly to the dive charter.

Prerequisites:

A valid and current fishing license is required to participate in this activity. A fishing license can be purchased online from CDFW.

• Minimum Age: 15 years by the date of the Open Water dives for this course.
• Students aged 12-14 with Junior certification are permitted to take this course.

Certification/Experience/Knowledge:

• Open Water Diver Certification
• Diver has completed at least 20 Open Water dives, including at least four in cold water (less than 68°F).
• Diver has diving experience within the last 12 months. This requirement can be waived by adding one more Open Water dive to this specialty course to serve as a refresher.

Academics: You are required to review a Google Slides Presentation prior to your training dives at Tanker's Reef. This link will be emailed to you after you register for the course. This slide presentation must be reviewed and studied prior to the day of your scheduled course.

Required Gear:

• Compass
• SMB/Surface Buoy
• Slate
• Light
• Cutting Tool (dive knife, line cutter or sheers)
• An urchin collecting bag may be provided to you during this course. It is highly recommended to purchase your own CDFW approved collection bag for continuing dives at Tanker's Reef. The use of a borrowed bag during this course or future organized Kelp Restoration group dives is not guaranteed.

Upon successful completion of this course the student diver will be able to explain the following learning objectives: ● Be able to identify native urchin species which threaten kelp forests: purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) and red sea urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) ● Be able to identify invasive bryozoan species which threaten kelp forests: (Watersipora subtorquata) so as to avoid breaking it up and spreading it. ● Be able to identify invasive seaweed species which threaten kelp forests: devil weed (Sargassum horneri) and wakame (Undaria pinnatifida). ● Know how to recognize marine life on the reef (that isn’t an urchin) in order to avoid harming it. ● Know how to identify and navigate to the location where kelp restoration is to be performed. ● Know what data they are expected to collect, how to record it and how to report it. ● Know how to properly utilize dive planning for Tanker's Reef. ● Proper entry. Diver safety and equipment handling to be emphasized. ● Demonstrate how to carry out urchin culling for kelp restoration while minimizing impact on surrounding marine life. ● Demonstrate good buoyancy control.