Free Fish/Invert ID classes and dives with REEF 9/27-29

[nwscubamom]

'Olive' you should come to our special REEF fish and invertebrate ID classes and fun dives Fri - Sun, Sept 27-29 in the Monterey area! Everyone invited, it's free, and we WANT YOU there. Olive you. It's gonna be fun! More details and info here: https://www.REEF.org/monterey2019
(that's an Olive Rockfish in case you were wondering...)

Join REEF staff members Ellie Place and Janna Nichols in Monterey on Sept. 27-29 for three days of diving, California marine life ID classes and fun!

We welcome both experienced surveyors and those new to fishwatching (and everyone in between).

• Learn how you can participate in REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project as a citizen scientist and contribute to the largest marine life sightings database in the world.
• Come to free classes to learn basic California fish and invertebrate ID.
• Dive with us to see how REEF surveys are conducted underwater.

Participation at all events is free (except Pt. Lobos reservation and entrance fees) but registration is requested (even if you're a 'maybe'!)

Weekend Schedule

• Friday, Sept. 27: 1-2 dives at Point Lobos. Bring your own tanks and gear. Grab a buddy and make your own reservations. Meet at 8:30am at the gate.
• Saturday, Sept. 28: California marine life ID classes held at Cisco offices in San Jose (more details to follow if you register for these). Complimentary breakfast and lunch provided.
  • 9am - noon: California Fish ID class
  • 1pm - 4pm: California Invertebrates/Algae ID class
• Sunday, Sept. 29: 7:30am meet (to get parking) for shore dive at the Breakwater (San Carlos Beach)

Click here to register for these events.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ellie or Janna
Spread the word to your local dive clubs and dive buddies!​

 

[TravisNeedsADiveBuddy]

Says make your own reservations does that just entail getting into the park or do I need to make a dive registration or something? New to diving sorry if this is a dumb question.

 

[nwscubamom]

Not a dumb question! You'll need to grab a dive buddy and make a reservation on the Point Lobos site. There are costs to get into the park.

You should also let us know if you're coming and to which events by registering with REEF here:
Join REEF in Monterey Bay 2019! | Reef Environmental Education Foundation

Hope that helps!
- Janna

 

[wnissen]

Hi, thanks for posting these interesting-looking events! I'm familiar with Reef Check, what does REEF specialize in?

Also, do you recommend any particular minimum experience level for the dives?

Thanks.

 

[nwscubamom]

Hi Wnissen,
REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project is similar to Reef Check in that it is also a citizen science project. The protocol is a bit different though. You rove around like you normally would on a recreational dive (no transects). You can contribute to the database without having taken a class or passing a certification. You only record what you can positively identify and leave the rest off. The data are sorted according to your Experience Level when doing surveys. (there are 5 levels). You can conduct a survey anytime, anywhere, with any dive buddy (whether they are doing a survey or not). The VFSP surveys ALL fish, and a select set of invertebrates and algae. REEF surveys do not measure sizes of fish. There are other differences of course, but those are the main ones off the top of my head.
As for minimum experience level for the dives, it would be nice for you to bring your own buddy if you can, and be comfortable doing a dive in kelp (if we run into any) and holding something in your hand and recording your observations (on a slate). If you have done a dive at Point Lobos or at the Breakwater before, you're familiar with what it's like there. The equipment added is just a slate/pencil to record observations.

Here's a quick video of the survey method:
http://www.reef.org/reef_files/fishinars/2016VFSPinternvideo.mp4

Hope that helps, let me know if there are more questions.
- Janna

 

[wnissen]

REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project is similar to Reef Check in that it is also a citizen science project. The protocol is a bit different though. You rove around like you normally would on a recreational dive (no transects). You can contribute to the database without having taken a class or passing a certification. You only record what you can positively identify and leave the rest off. The data are sorted according to your Experience Level when doing surveys. (there are 5 levels). You can conduct a survey anytime, anywhere, with any dive buddy (whether they are doing a survey or not). The VFSP surveys ALL fish, and a select set of invertebrates and algae. REEF surveys do not measure sizes of fish. There are other differences of course, but those are the main ones off the top of my head.

Very helpful, thanks. It does sound a bit more do-able for your average diver. I'm busy that weekend but look forward to more events in the future.