Inshore Diving Surveys
JNCC has a scientific diving team to carry out high-value
underwater surveys within inshore marine habitats. The team use
SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) and a range
of underwater survey tools, including cameras (stills and video),
cores, tapes and slates to carry out their survey work. The
scientific diving team perform two key roles within the UK:
- To support statutory seabed monitoring programmes throughout
the UK, within each of the devolved administrations;
- To research and develop new and innovative marine monitoring
methods that are robust, efficient and cost-effective. Read our
latest dive survey report, “Methodological trials: Recording subtidal epibiota
in situ and in photographs, Portrush August 2013 and Sound of Mull
August 2014”.
All team members are trained to national HSE diving at work standards.
The scientific diving team are also active members of the
UK Scientific Diving and Supervisory
Committee. Through its membership JNCC makes significant
contributions to scientific diving policy, while also enhancing
their commitment to diving safety in the
UK.
Surveyor recording from a
quadrat on a transect on Lochaline wall, in the Sound of Mull
(left); camera and photo quadrat equipment (right), © JNCC
2014.
An example of a
quadrat on Auliston Point transect (left) and Lochaline wall
transect (right), in the Sound of Mull © JNCC
2014.