Seahorse Survey Course
Donation protected
Seahorses are found throughout the world in shallow, coastal seas and are a true fish with a unique life style and very unusual behaviours, such as the male having a true pregnancy; the only animal in the world to do so.
They are possibly under threat of being functionally extinct in the next 20 to 30 years (ref: K.Doyle, SOS ) unless we can learn more about them and achieve full protection for them around the world.
Seahorses are under threat from a variety of causes such as bycatch, direct target fishing, habitat destruction, being kept as pets and for use in the traditional medicine trade and despite being a very recognisable species, the intricacies of their ecology and behaviour is poorly understood or confusing at best.
Seahorses are highly endangered, every species is data deficient, vulnerable or endangered under IUCN Red Data List classification and one of the main reasons for putting together a standardised seahorse survey technique is to inform conservation measures to halt or reduce the decline of the species.
By collecting the correct and relevant data we can assess and analyse it into useable reports and pass this across to the authorities who can then put into place conservation measures to halt the decline of the species.
SOS estimate the true number of seahorses fished per annum is nearer 150 million (based on undercover surveys) rather than the official 25 to 65 million and part of this discrepancy is down to the way data is collected and who collects it.
So to halt the decline of the species we need to gather much needed data, correctly and in a standardised manner so it can be used effectively.
The Seahorse Trust www.theseahorsetrust.org has specialised in these amazing animals through the work of its founder, Neil Garrick-Maidment for 36 years and leads the world in surveying for them in the wild; we have partnerships in Malta, Spain, France, Italy, Cambodia, Bermuda, Brazil, Japan, Australia and many others countries and our joint research has led to many discoveries, increased protection and a unique insight into the lives of one of nature’s most enigmatic species but there is much more to do.
None of this would have been possible without the help of our amazing team of volunteers and in the life of the surveys we have had in excess of 5,000 volunteers take part not only in the BSS but in all our projects around the world.
We have refined our surveys and techniques to bring together a selection of much needed data and knowledge and we are confident our technique is fit for the purpose of understanding the intricate lives of seahorses.
However around the world there are a variety of survey techniques being used and these have variable levels of success and achievements; so we want to standardise seahorse survey techniques by writing and developing a standard seahorse survey course that can be taught to a wide variety of types and levels of people to ensure standardised and comparable measurements and data collection around the world.
It does not matter if you wash dishes or are a professor all will be welcome on the course and it will be targetted for all levels and abilities.
The Seahorse Survey Course will be a 3 day, part classroom, part diving course that will teach technique and theory and put into practise a course that will ensure we standardise the approach to seahorse surveying across the globe.
The course will be spent in the classroom and practising diving survey techniques, and understanding these amazing animals in the process. The techniques of underwater surveying will be about the seahorses, the need for seahorse protection and how to survey them without interfering with their behaviour and without having a detrimental effect on them and the habitat they live in.
It is envisaged that a instructors course will also be developed so that the course can be taught by a variety of people under the guidance of The Seahorse Trust thus increasing the numbers around the world successfully surveying for seahorses; it is intended that this will become the seahorse survey standard around the globe for amatuers and professionals alike.
To be able to fund the course and to help fund future research into seahorses, there will be a small charge (to be decided) for the course, which will cover the cost of teaching, teaching materials and other costs.
The Seahorses and the habitat they live in are to be the main beneficiaries in this course as the knowledge and data gathered will lead on to their national and international protection.
Amongst the many groups that will also benefit from taking part in a course such as this, will be amatuer naturalists, people that just love diving, professionals, volunteers, students, ecologists and keen naturalists and the course can lead onto career development or just to an interest in the subject.
We hope the course will ultimately be taught in colleges and universities that specialise in marine biology and conservation and with other groups who have an interest in this type of study.
We are also hoping that the course will be endorsed by National and International diving organisations such as BSAC and PADI Etc. and many others and it will become the industry standard for those wishing to survey for seahorses.
This is an very urgently needed course, time is running out for seahorses, according to SOS and we need to collect valuable data.
It will take several months to write and set up the course but if we can generate the much needed £15,000 to cover the cost of writing the course and paying for the initial teaching materials then we can get started in 2016.
The Seahorse Trust
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NATURE
They are possibly under threat of being functionally extinct in the next 20 to 30 years (ref: K.Doyle, SOS ) unless we can learn more about them and achieve full protection for them around the world.
Seahorses are under threat from a variety of causes such as bycatch, direct target fishing, habitat destruction, being kept as pets and for use in the traditional medicine trade and despite being a very recognisable species, the intricacies of their ecology and behaviour is poorly understood or confusing at best.
Seahorses are highly endangered, every species is data deficient, vulnerable or endangered under IUCN Red Data List classification and one of the main reasons for putting together a standardised seahorse survey technique is to inform conservation measures to halt or reduce the decline of the species.
By collecting the correct and relevant data we can assess and analyse it into useable reports and pass this across to the authorities who can then put into place conservation measures to halt the decline of the species.
SOS estimate the true number of seahorses fished per annum is nearer 150 million (based on undercover surveys) rather than the official 25 to 65 million and part of this discrepancy is down to the way data is collected and who collects it.
So to halt the decline of the species we need to gather much needed data, correctly and in a standardised manner so it can be used effectively.
The Seahorse Trust www.theseahorsetrust.org has specialised in these amazing animals through the work of its founder, Neil Garrick-Maidment for 36 years and leads the world in surveying for them in the wild; we have partnerships in Malta, Spain, France, Italy, Cambodia, Bermuda, Brazil, Japan, Australia and many others countries and our joint research has led to many discoveries, increased protection and a unique insight into the lives of one of nature’s most enigmatic species but there is much more to do.
None of this would have been possible without the help of our amazing team of volunteers and in the life of the surveys we have had in excess of 5,000 volunteers take part not only in the BSS but in all our projects around the world.
We have refined our surveys and techniques to bring together a selection of much needed data and knowledge and we are confident our technique is fit for the purpose of understanding the intricate lives of seahorses.However around the world there are a variety of survey techniques being used and these have variable levels of success and achievements; so we want to standardise seahorse survey techniques by writing and developing a standard seahorse survey course that can be taught to a wide variety of types and levels of people to ensure standardised and comparable measurements and data collection around the world.
It does not matter if you wash dishes or are a professor all will be welcome on the course and it will be targetted for all levels and abilities.
The Seahorse Survey Course will be a 3 day, part classroom, part diving course that will teach technique and theory and put into practise a course that will ensure we standardise the approach to seahorse surveying across the globe.
The course will be spent in the classroom and practising diving survey techniques, and understanding these amazing animals in the process. The techniques of underwater surveying will be about the seahorses, the need for seahorse protection and how to survey them without interfering with their behaviour and without having a detrimental effect on them and the habitat they live in.
It is envisaged that a instructors course will also be developed so that the course can be taught by a variety of people under the guidance of The Seahorse Trust thus increasing the numbers around the world successfully surveying for seahorses; it is intended that this will become the seahorse survey standard around the globe for amatuers and professionals alike.
To be able to fund the course and to help fund future research into seahorses, there will be a small charge (to be decided) for the course, which will cover the cost of teaching, teaching materials and other costs.
The Seahorses and the habitat they live in are to be the main beneficiaries in this course as the knowledge and data gathered will lead on to their national and international protection.
Amongst the many groups that will also benefit from taking part in a course such as this, will be amatuer naturalists, people that just love diving, professionals, volunteers, students, ecologists and keen naturalists and the course can lead onto career development or just to an interest in the subject.
We hope the course will ultimately be taught in colleges and universities that specialise in marine biology and conservation and with other groups who have an interest in this type of study.
We are also hoping that the course will be endorsed by National and International diving organisations such as BSAC and PADI Etc. and many others and it will become the industry standard for those wishing to survey for seahorses.
This is an very urgently needed course, time is running out for seahorses, according to SOS and we need to collect valuable data.
It will take several months to write and set up the course but if we can generate the much needed £15,000 to cover the cost of writing the course and paying for the initial teaching materials then we can get started in 2016.
The Seahorse Trust
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NATURE
Organizer
Neil Garrick-Maidment
Organizer
