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Scuba Diving with Us
Volunteer
scuba divers with the California State Shark and Ray Count are
working to explore and document the near shore marine environment
of California. You can print the Diver Data Sheet from this .pdf file . The California State Shark and Ray Count is a volunteer research project based at and supported by Ventura College. The goal of the research project is to establish a population database for near shore shark and ray populations. This database is then used to help track and monitor the health of our oceans. As a volunteer diver you will be diving to find, document and possibly tag sharks and rays in the near shore area. All divers must be certified and show proof of certification.
All training offered by the California State Shark and Ray Count is completely free. Volunteer Divers are given training on shark and ray species identification and all research methods. Training takes place at the meetings and in the ocean. Training will include safety issues, shark handling and tagging methods, night diving, low visibility diving, kelp diving and navigation diving. The training is very difficult with heavy emphasis on safety and navigation skills in low visibility conditions. Divers must complete all the dives and ability requirements before becoming a Shark Count Scuba Team Member. Training in the ocean will be scheduled as needed. To get enrolled call or e-mail the contacts listed at the top of this page. Volunteer Divers must supply all their own diving gear and air fills. Equipment used to perform scientific data collection and the shark tagging equipment is provided free. All training is free, this is a 100% volunteer project and no one, at any level, receives compensation of any kind. If you have questions please attend the meetings. Meetings are every other Thursday at 7:30pm, on Ventura College Campus, in the Science Building, room sci 221. For exact dates please send an e-mail to the contact listed at the top of this page. Divers may find our link to the NOAA swell model map, a useful tool, on our Info and Resource Links and our Water Quality, Swell Models and Tides page.
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