The Rockfish Divers Marine Science Foundation is a subsidiary of Rockfish Divers dedicated to scientific diving.
VISION
A community of ocean enthusiasts and divers working towards sustainable management practices that increase and maintain the ocean health of Saanich Inlet and the Southern Gulf Islands.
OBJECTIVE
To collect, collate and publish data for use by communities, educators, researchers and scientists, policy makers, and governments in support of ocean management practices including (but not limited to):
This shall be established with baseline monitoring programs throughout the designated area. The data collected will be cataloged and monitored to measure changes in the environment, and enable the observation and documentation of activities that threaten the ecosystem. Some projects that the Foundation is currently with involved include:
We welcome applications from a wide variety of divers and scientists.
VALUES
Scientific Integrity
Safety
Environmental Stewardship
POLICY
The Rockfish Divers Marine Science Foundation is a subsidiary of Rockfish Divers dedicated to the environmental stewardship of the Saanich Inlet and the Southern Gulf Islands.
Scientific dive training to adhere to the CAUS Standard of Practice and WorkSafeBC Regulation, Part 24 - Diving, Fishing and Other Marine Operations WCB, is provided through Rockfish Divers. Rockfish Divers offers the PADI Scientific Diving Training Program for Level 1 and Level 2 scientific divers, which is the only program in Canada currently sanctioned by a certifying agency.
The acceptance of scientific dive team members and projects, operational procedures, record keeping and overall management of the Rockfish Foundation Diving Safety Program will follow the Rockfish Foundation Diving Safety Manual as approved by the Diving Safety Committee and authorized by the Director.
VISION
A community of ocean enthusiasts and divers working towards sustainable management practices that increase and maintain the ocean health of Saanich Inlet and the Southern Gulf Islands.
OBJECTIVE
To collect, collate and publish data for use by communities, educators, researchers and scientists, policy makers, and governments in support of ocean management practices including (but not limited to):
- sustainable fishing;
- recreational ocean use for boating, diving and swimming;
- commercial & industrial resources management;
- heritage preservation.
This shall be established with baseline monitoring programs throughout the designated area. The data collected will be cataloged and monitored to measure changes in the environment, and enable the observation and documentation of activities that threaten the ecosystem. Some projects that the Foundation is currently with involved include:
- Monitoring the effects of and recovery from sea star wasting syndrome that affected the designated area in late 2013/early 2014. There are currently 5 baselines that are regularly being monitored throughout the area;
- Monitoring of hazardous dumping activity in Tod Inlet (part of Saanich Inlet);
- Population studies of fish and other organisms throughout the designated area, including Rockfish Conservation Areas;
- Monitoring of shallow glass sponge reefs founds throughout the fjord of Saanich Inlet;
- Monitoring of ecologically sensitive areas, including eelgrass beds, throughout the designated area;
- Working with local universities and municipal governments to provide important data to support research and education.
We welcome applications from a wide variety of divers and scientists.
VALUES
Scientific Integrity
- Collaboration between our scientific diving team and local subject matter experts permits the design and execution of scientifically rigourous studies and ensures that sound methods are used in the collection, documentation, and publication of information in support of our projects.
Safety
- A protocol based on the Canadian Association for Underwater Science, the Workers' Compensation Board of Canada diving regulations, and Transport Canada has been established to ensure participant safety in all project operations.
Environmental Stewardship
- This foundation is dedicated to non-invasive data collection techniques and will collaborate with and support environmental stewardship endeavors for Saanich Inlet and the Southern Gulf Islands.
POLICY
The Rockfish Divers Marine Science Foundation is a subsidiary of Rockfish Divers dedicated to the environmental stewardship of the Saanich Inlet and the Southern Gulf Islands.
Scientific dive training to adhere to the CAUS Standard of Practice and WorkSafeBC Regulation, Part 24 - Diving, Fishing and Other Marine Operations WCB, is provided through Rockfish Divers. Rockfish Divers offers the PADI Scientific Diving Training Program for Level 1 and Level 2 scientific divers, which is the only program in Canada currently sanctioned by a certifying agency.
The acceptance of scientific dive team members and projects, operational procedures, record keeping and overall management of the Rockfish Foundation Diving Safety Program will follow the Rockfish Foundation Diving Safety Manual as approved by the Diving Safety Committee and authorized by the Director.