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| The seahorse 'S' has been used with the permission of MESA, it is part of the trademark of a MESA program called Seaweek | ||||||
| What is the NZRDS? The New Zealand Recreational Diver Survey (NZRDS) is a new project with the aim of encouraging Dive Clubs and or Dive groups to participate in an ‘on going’ monitoring and surveying project of a local area of biological interest e.g. popular local scuba dive spot, a traditional scallop or crayfish collecting area, a reef with spectacular encrusting marine life or part of a marine reserve, through the use of a NZRDS monitoring survey ‘kit’. Project Objectives a. To establish a database of marine life and physical conditions against which changes can be monitored regularly. b. To promote good scuba diver attitudes and scuba diver responsibility towards the marine environment. c. To promote the project as another form of recreational scuba diving which will make scuba diving more enjoyable, more interesting and more of a challenge. It will also help divers develope new skills and acquire scuba diver qualifications e.g. Survey Diver Specialty (SDS) training. d. To promote the awareness of the scuba diver’s responsibilities under the Treaty of Waitangi to the iwi (tribe) and hapu (sub-tribe) of an area. Project Structure The NZRDS project has one supporting body; Western Underwater Research Team (WURT), which are assisted by a management and development team with experience and expertise in such things as marine biology, project management, scuba diver training, marine surveying, underwater photography, marine conservation and marine reserve operation. These contributions have helped make the survey project as rewarding, effortless and interesting as possible. The project requires ‘ongoing’ commitment of each participating group. If problems arise, advice and support will be available from the National Co- ordinator. Responsibilities - Treaty of Waitangi Many areas around our coastline have deep traditional and spiritual connections for Maori e.g. as a traditional place for gathering food. These are recognised and protected under the Treaty of Waitangi. The New Zealand Recreational Diver Survey project acknowledges its role of promoting an awareness among survey groups of their responsibilities in respecting any special interest or values that local iwi or hapu have over surveyed areas. How to join First consider why you or your group want to take part in this project. If there is a genuine commitment to help our marine environment then participation in this project will be rewarding. All you have to do to join the NZRDS project is register and once more its free. Phone (09) 827 7008 for registration information. Receiving a starter kit After the group participation registration is complete, one NZRDS survey starter kit will be sent to the group’s representative for the free use of. However, if you decide not to continue with the project, please consider returning the kit for reissue. The contents of the kit and its use is explained in more detail under the section ‘Surveying - using the kit’ in the NZRDS Survey Manual. Additional starter kits may be purchased from WURT. Survey area: type and location The type of survey we are conducting is ‘Coastal subtidal’. It will normally be part of a stretch of coast where the environment and sea life are similar and that is always underwater at low tide. It is very important to choose a suitable location for the survey. Good local knowledge for the proposed area is important for safe ‘Open Water’ diving and ease of access. A scuba diver needs to be relaxed when conducting a survey. Valuable information will be lost if the scuba diver has to struggle with of a strong current or swell, making the survey dive stressful. Remember WURT is promoting the project as a fun form of recreational diving with a valuable outcome, not a diving ordeal fighting the elements. By selecting a semi-sheltered site with reasonably good visibility through out the year, a lot of frustration will be avoided, especially in locating the exact survey position on each survey dive. Pick a site that will hold your group’s interest for a number of years. It is valuable to become familiar with the underwater area around the survey site. Produce a simple map to assist in finding the site position in poor visibility. Other issues to consider in selecting a site: * A location that you think is already stressed or may become so in the future. * A location that is soon to be protected e.g. by a marine park or reserve. (Your first surveys will then collect important baseline data) * A location that is typical of your area. (Common organisms and habitats are often neglected) * Current information available about the area e.g. past surveys, aerial photographs. * The presence of species that are important for commercial and or recreational take or that are of special scientific or educational interest. General Inquires: |
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| Photo by Chris Woods |
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| Photo by Chris Woods |
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