The Hood Canal Diver Observation Program depends on volunteer divers to help monitor the behavior and distribution of marine life as dissolved oxygen levels change throughout the year. The program aims to harness knowledge contained within the local diving community regarding underwater conditions and the activity of marine life. There are many divers who frequent Hood Canal, and this program provides a mechanism for their observations to be systematically collected, compiled, and shared.
Data provided by volunteer divers are used to examine biota movements over time. Observations are used to investigate how trends in abundance and depth distributions may correspond with dissolved oxygen levels, which are monitored weekly at sites throughout Hood Canal, including Sund Rock Marine Preserve. Trends are compared for different locations in Hood Canal and for different species and groups of species. During the 2006 low dissolved oxygen period and fish kill event, reports from volunteer divers provided insight to the behavior and condition of many fish and invertebrate species and reflected the progression of the fish kill event.
The program began with the participation of local dive shops (Hood Sport ‘n Dive, Mike’s Diving Center, Sound Dive Center, Mike’s Beach Resort), a dive charter boat (Pacific Adventure), and the Skokomish Tribe. Datasheets are available at these locations and data can also be submitted online. Observational narratives can also be submitted to provide full descriptions of underwater conditions.
The Diver Observation Program has expanded to include monthly dive surveys at designated sites in Hood Canal. The surveys are conducted by trained divers from the Washington SCUBA Alliance and the Reef Environmental Education Foundation. The boat dives are supported by Pacific Adventure Charters. Details and data collected during the monthly dives can be found at the Washington SCUBA Alliance website.
The Diver Observation Program provides the opportunity for volunteer divers to help monitor Hood Canal. Through their contributions, divers are helping to increase our understanding of this unique body of water. Ongoing observations are needed throughout the year, and all who are interested are encouraged to share their observations.
For more information, contact Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group at (360) 275-9722 or email teresa@hcseg.org.
Reef Environmental Education Foundation
Washington SCUBA Alliance
SUBMIT DATA ONLINE
Pacific NW Scuba
The Marine Life Index
FishBase
King County Marine Photos
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
REEF Fish Gallery
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