Citizen Science Projects and Program.....How to make every dive count

1. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientist

2. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
Make every dive count

4. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
How to get involved
• Education
• Experience Level Exam
• Collecting Data
• Submitting Data

5. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
How to get involved
• Education
• Experience Level Exam
• Collecting Data
• Submitting Data

6. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
How to get involved
• Education
• Experience Level Exam
• Collecting Data
• Submitting Data

7. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
How to get involved
• Education
• Experience Level Exam
• Collecting Data
• Submitting Data

8. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
How to get involved
• Education
• Experience Level Exam
• Collecting Data
• Submitting Data

9. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
How to get involved
• Volunteer
• Sponsor projects

10. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
How to get involved
• Volunteer
• Sponsor projects

11. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
Projects
• Fish Survey Project
• Sea Slug Survey Project
• Cleaning Station Study
• Sea Turtle Sighting
Program
• Distribution Lists

12. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
Projects
• Fish Survey Project
• Sea Slug Survey Project
• Cleaning Station Study
• Sea Turtle Sighting
Program
• Distribution Lists

13. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
Projects
• Fish Survey Project
• Sea Slug Survey Project
• Cleaning Station Study
• Sea Turtle Sighting
Program
• Distribution Lists

14. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
Projects
• Fish Survey Project
• Sea Slug Survey Project
• Cleaning Station Study
• Sea Turtle Sighting
Program
• Distribution Lists

15. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
Projects
• Fish Survey Project
• Sea Slug Survey Project
• Cleaning Station Study
• Sea Turtle Sighting
Program
• Distribution Lists

16. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
Projects
• Fish Survey Project
• Sea Slug Survey Project
• Cleaning Station Study
• Sea Turtle Sighting
Program
• Distribution Lists

18. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• REEF (Reef
Environmental Education
Foundation)
• Partner with OceanCARE
• Conservation Partner

19. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• REEF (Reef
Environmental Education
Foundation)
• Partner with OceanCARE
• Conservation Partner

20. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• REEF (Reef
Environmental Education
Foundation)
• Partner with OceanCARE
• Conservation Partner in
Western Indian Ocean

21. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• With knowledge, training,
and the opportunity to get
involved, you as a marine
citizen scientists make
significant and ongoing
contributions
• REEF and OceanCARE
provides varied training
opportunities to
encourage wide
participation

22. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• With knowledge, training,
and the opportunity to get
involved, you as a marine
citizen scientists make
significant and ongoing
contributions
• REEF and OceanCARE
provides varied training
opportunities to
encourage wide
participation

23. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• REEF has a comprehensive
experience-rating system
and QA checks for data
submission to ensure high
quality data
• The survey methodology
was developed with
support from The Nature
Conservancy (TNC) and
guidance by the Southeast
Fisheries Science Centre of
the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS)

24. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• REEF has a comprehensive
experience-rating system
and QA checks for data
submission to ensure high
quality data
• The survey methodology
was developed with
support from The Nature
Conservancy (TNC) and
guidance by the Southeast
Fisheries Science Centre of
the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS)

25. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• The project allows
volunteer SCUBA divers
and snorkelers to collect
and report information on
marine fish populations as
well as selected
invertebrate and algae
species
• The data are collected
using a fun and easy
standardized method

26. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• The project allows
volunteer SCUBA divers
and snorkelers to collect
and report information on
marine fish populations as
well as selected
invertebrate and algae
species
• The data are collected
using a fun and easy
standardized method

27. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• Data are housed in a
publicly-accessible
database on REEF's
Website
• These data are used by a
variety of resource
agencies and researchers

28. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• Data are housed in a
publicly-accessible
database on REEF's
Website
• These data are used by a
variety of resource
agencies and researchers

29. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
How do I conduct a survey?
• To collect data for the Fish
Survey Project, volunteers
use the Roving Diver
Technique (RDT)
• A visual survey method
specifically designed for
volunteer data
• The only materials needed
are an underwater slate and
pencil, a good reference
book, and access to the
internet to submit the data
online

30. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
How do I conduct a survey?
• To collect data for the Fish
Survey Project, volunteers
use the Roving Diver
Technique (RDT)
• A visual survey method
specifically designed for
volunteer data
• The only materials needed
are an underwater slate and
pencil, a good reference
book, and access to the
internet to submit the data
online

31. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
How do I conduct a survey?
• To collect data for the Fish
Survey Project, volunteers
use the Roving Diver
Technique (RDT)
• A visual survey method
specifically designed for
volunteer data
• The only materials needed
are an underwater slate and
pencil, a good reference
book, and access to the
internet to submit the data
online

32. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
How do I conduct a survey?
• To collect data for the Fish
Survey Project, volunteers
use the Roving Diver
Technique (RDT)
• A visual survey method
specifically designed for
volunteer data
• The only materials needed
are an underwater slate and
pencil, a good reference
book, and access to the
internet to submit the data
online

33. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• Waterproof paper
Survey list
• Waterproof ID guides
• Slates, pencils, and
training courses are
available through
OceanCARE

34. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• Waterproof paper
Survey list
• Waterproof ID guides
• Slates, pencils, and
training courses are
available through
OceanCARE

35. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
• Waterproof paper
Survey list
• Waterproof ID guides
• Slates, pencils, and
training courses are
available through
OceanCARE

36. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey
Method
• During RDT surveys, divers
swim freely throughout a
site and record every
observed fish species that
can be positively identified
• Species and approximate
abundance scores are
recorded on an
underwater slate

37. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey
Method
• During RDT surveys, divers
swim freely throughout a
site and record every
observed fish species that
can be positively identified
• Species and approximate
abundance scores are
recorded on an
underwater slate

38. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey
Method
• During RDT surveys, divers
swim freely throughout a
site and record every
observed fish species that
can be positively identified
• Species and approximate
abundance scores are
recorded on an
underwater slate

39. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey
Method
• The search for fishes
begins as soon as the diver
enters the water
• The goal is to find as many
species as possible, so
divers are encouraged to
look under ledges and up
in the water column
• Sea turtle species are also
reported

40. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey
Method
• The search for fishes
begins as soon as the diver
enters the water
• The goal is to find as many
species as possible, so
divers are encouraged to
look under ledges and up
in the water column
• Sea turtle species are also
reported

41. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey
Method
• The search for fishes
begins as soon as the diver
enters the water
• The goal is to find as many
species as possible, so
divers are encouraged to
look under ledges and up
in the water column
• Sea turtle species are also
reported

42. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey Method
• Each recorded species is
assigned one of four abundance
categories based on about how
many were seen throughout
the dive
• Single (1);
• Few (2-10),
• Many (11-100),
• Abundant (>100)]
• A few select invertebrate and
algal species are simply marked
as present

43. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey Method
• Each recorded species is
assigned one of four abundance
categories based on about how
many were seen throughout
the dive
• Single (1);
• Few (2-10),
• Many (11-100),
• Abundant (>100)]
• A few select invertebrate and
algal species are simply marked
as present

44. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey Method
• Each recorded species is
assigned one of four abundance
categories based on about how
many were seen throughout
the dive
• Single (1);
• Few (2-10),
• Many (11-100),
• Abundant (>100)]
• A few select invertebrate and
algal species are simply marked
as present

45. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey Method
• Each recorded species is
assigned one of four abundance
categories based on about how
many were seen throughout
the dive
• Single (1);
• Few (2-10),
• Many (11-100),
• Abundant (>100)]
• A few select invertebrate and
algal species are simply marked
as present

46. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey Method
• Each recorded species is
assigned one of four abundance
categories based on about how
many were seen throughout
the dive
• Single (1);
• Few (2-10),
• Many (11-100),
• Abundant (>100)]
• A few select invertebrate and
algal species are simply marked
as present

47. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
The Roving Diver Survey Method
• Each recorded species is
assigned one of four abundance
categories based on about how
many were seen throughout
the dive
• Single (1);
• Few (2-10),
• Many (11-100),
• Abundant (>100)]
• A few select invertebrate and
algal species are simply marked
as present

48. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Submitting your data
• Following the dive, each
surveyor transfers the
information about their
survey dive, including survey
time, depth, temperature,
and other environmental
information
• along with the species
sightings data, to the REEF
database
• A separate survey submission
is done for each dive

49. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Submitting your data
• Following the dive, each
surveyor transfers the
information about their
survey dive, including survey
time, depth, temperature,
and other environmental
information
• along with the species
sightings data, to the REEF
database
• A separate survey submission
is done for each dive

50. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Submitting your data
• Following the dive, each
surveyor transfers the
information about their
survey dive, including survey
time, depth, temperature,
and other environmental
information
• along with the species
sightings data, to the REEF
database
• A separate survey submission
is done for each dive

51. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Submitting your data
• Following the dive, each
surveyor transfers the
information about their
survey dive, including survey
time, depth, temperature,
and other environmental
information
• along with the species
sightings data, to the REEF
database
• A separate survey submission
is done for each dive

52. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
What happens to the survey after
it's submitted?
• The information goes through a
series of computer and human
error-checks
• After the quality control checks,
the survey data are loaded into
REEF's online database
• From this database, a variety of
reports can be generated on
species distribution and
population trends, for a specific
reef or large geographic regions
• This data will also be used in
the Cleaning Station Project

53. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
What happens to the survey after
it's submitted?
• The information goes through a
series of computer and human
error-checks
• After the quality control checks,
the survey data are loaded into
REEF's online database
• From this database, a variety of
reports can be generated on
species distribution and
population trends, for a specific
reef or large geographic regions
• This data will also be used in
the Cleaning Station Project

54. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
What happens to the survey after
it's submitted?
• The information goes through a
series of computer and human
error-checks
• After the quality control checks,
the survey data are loaded into
REEF's online database
• From this database, a variety of
reports can be generated on
species distribution and
population trends, for a specific
reef or large geographic regions
• This data will also be used in
the Cleaning Station Project

55. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
What happens to the survey after
it's submitted?
• The information goes through a
series of computer and human
error-checks
• After the quality control checks,
the survey data are loaded into
REEF's online database
• From this database, a variety of
reports can be generated on
species distribution and
population trends, for a specific
reef or large geographic regions
• This data will also be used in
the Cleaning Station Project

56. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
What happens to the survey after
it's submitted?
• The information goes through a
series of computer and human
error-checks
• After the quality control checks,
the survey data are loaded into
REEF's online database
• From this database, a variety of
reports can be generated on
species distribution and
population trends, for a specific
reef or large geographic regions
• This data will also be used in
the Cleaning Station Project

57. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
What are the different levels
of surveyor experience?
• REEF fish survey data are
separated into two
categories based on
experience level- Novice
and Expert
• These experience levels
are determined by number
of surveys completed and
examination scores

58. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
What are the different levels
of surveyor experience?
• REEF fish survey data are
separated into two
categories based on
experience level- Novice
and Expert
• These experience levels
are determined by number
of surveys completed and
examination scores

59. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
What are the different levels
of surveyor experience?
• REEF fish survey data are
separated into two
categories based on
experience level- Novice
and Expert
• These experience levels
are determined by number
of surveys completed and
examination scores

60. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
• There are 5 levels of
experience for fish
watchers
• Each of REEF's regions
has its own levels
• Members must have the
required number of
surveys from that
particular region

61. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
• There are 5 levels of
experience for fish
watchers
• Each of REEF's regions
has its own levels
• Members must have the
required number of
surveys from that
particular region

62. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
• There are 5 levels of
experience for fish
watchers
• Each of REEF's regions
has its own levels
• Members must have the
required number of
surveys from that
particular region

63. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
• There are 5 levels of
experience for fish
watchers
• Each of REEF's regions
has its own levels
• Members must have the
required number of
surveys from that
particular region

64. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 1 – Beginning
Surveyor
• All new members
• Novice Level

65. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 1 – Beginning
Surveyor
• All new members
• Novice Level

66. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 1 – Beginning
Surveyor
• All new members
• Novice Level

67. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 2 - Beginning Surveyor
• Requires an 80% on the Level 2
Quiz and the completion of two
surveys
• There are 20-25 questions on
this quiz
• Most members participating on
a Field Survey Trip, taking a SSI
Fish ID Specialty course or other
Fish ID course will attain this
level
• In addition, surveyors should
complete 2 surveys (these can
be done before or after taking
the test)
• Novice Level

68. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 2 - Beginning Surveyor
• Requires an 80% on the Level 2
Quiz and the completion of two
surveys
• There are 20-25 questions on
this quiz
• Most members participating on
a Field Survey Trip, taking a SSI
Fish ID Specialty course or other
Fish ID course will attain this
level
• In addition, surveyors should
complete 2 surveys (these can
be done before or after taking
the test)
• Novice Level

69. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 2 - Beginning Surveyor
• Requires an 80% on the Level 2
Quiz and the completion of two
surveys
• There are 20-25 questions on
this quiz
• Most members participating on
a Field Survey Trip, taking a SSI
Fish ID Specialty course or other
Fish ID course will attain this
level
• In addition, surveyors should
complete 2 surveys (these can
be done before or after taking
the test)
• Novice Level

70. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 2 - Beginning Surveyor
• Requires an 80% on the Level 2
Quiz and the completion of two
surveys
• There are 20-25 questions on
this quiz
• Most members participating on
a Field Survey Trip, taking a SSI
Fish ID Specialty course or other
Fish ID course will attain this
level
• In addition, surveyors should
complete 2 surveys (these can
be done before or after taking
the test)
• Novice Level

71. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 2 - Beginning Surveyor
• Requires an 80% on the Level 2
Quiz and the completion of two
surveys
• There are 20-25 questions on
this quiz
• Most members participating on
a Field Survey Trip, taking a SSI
Fish ID Specialty course or other
Fish ID course will attain this
level
• In addition, surveyors should
complete 2 surveys (these can
be done before or after taking
the test)
• Novice Level

72. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 2 - Beginning Surveyor
• Requires an 80% on the Level 2
Quiz and the completion of two
surveys
• There are 20-25 questions on
this quiz
• Most members participating on
a Field Survey Trip, taking a SSI
Fish ID Specialty course or other
Fish ID course will attain this
level
• In addition, surveyors should
complete 2 surveys (these can
be done before or after taking
the test)
• Novice Level

73. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 3 - Advanced Surveyor
• Achieved by passing the Level 3
test with 80% and conducting
25 surveys
• There are 100 questions on the
test
• Many members participating in
a Field Survey Trip will reach
this level
• This is the highest level of
experience still classified in the
Novice data category
• 25 surveys must have been
submitted prior to taking this
test

74. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 3 - Advanced Surveyor
• Achieved by passing the Level 3
test with 80% and conducting
25 surveys
• There are 100 questions on the
test
• Many members participating in
a Field Survey Trip will reach
this level
• This is the highest level of
experience still classified in the
Novice data category
• 25 surveys must have been
submitted prior to taking this
test

75. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 3 - Advanced Surveyor
• Achieved by passing the Level 3
test with 80% and conducting
25 surveys
• There are 100 questions on the
test
• Many members participating in
a Field Survey Trip will reach
this level
• This is the highest level of
experience still classified in the
Novice data category
• 25 surveys must have been
submitted prior to taking this
test

76. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 3 - Advanced Surveyor
• Achieved by passing the Level 3
test with 80% and conducting
25 surveys
• There are 100 questions on the
test
• Many members participating in
a Field Survey Trip will reach
this level
• This is the highest level of
experience still classified in the
Novice data category
• 25 surveys must have been
submitted prior to taking this
test

77. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 3 - Advanced Surveyor
• Achieved by passing the Level 3
test with 80% and conducting
25 surveys
• There are 100 questions on the
test
• Many members participating in
a Field Survey Trip will reach
this level
• This is the highest level of
experience still classified in the
Novice data category
• 25 surveys must have been
submitted prior to taking this
test

78. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 3 - Advanced Surveyor
• Achieved by passing the Level 3
test with 80% and conducting
25 surveys
• There are 100 questions on the
test
• Many members participating in
a Field Survey Trip will reach
this level
• This is the highest level of
experience still classified in the
Novice data category
• 25 surveys must have been
submitted prior to taking this
test

79. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 4 - Expert Surveyor
• Acquired by passing the
Level 4/5 test with 90%
and conducting 35
surveys
• The 35 surveys must
have been submitted
prior to taking this test
• Expert Level

80. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 4 - Expert Surveyor
• Acquired by passing the
Level 4/5 test with 90%
and conducting 35
surveys
• The 35 surveys must
have been submitted
prior to taking this test
• Expert Level

81. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 4 - Expert Surveyor
• Acquired by passing the
Level 4/5 test with 90%
and conducting 35
surveys
• The 35 surveys must
have been submitted
prior to taking this test
• Expert Level

82. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 4 - Expert Surveyor
• Acquired by passing the
Level 4/5 test with 90%
and conducting 35
surveys
• The 35 surveys must
have been submitted
prior to taking this test
• Expert Level

83. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 5 - Expert Surveyor
• Acquired by passing the
Level 4/5 test with 95%
and conducting 50
surveys
• The 50 surveys must
have been submitted
prior to taking this test
• Expert Level

84. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 5 - Expert Surveyor
• Acquired by passing the
Level 4/5 test with 95%
and conducting 50
surveys
• The 50 surveys must
have been submitted
prior to taking this test
• Expert Level

85. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 5 - Expert Surveyor
• Acquired by passing the
Level 4/5 test with 95%
and conducting 50
surveys
• The 50 surveys must
have been submitted
prior to taking this test
• Expert Level

86. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
Level 5 - Expert Surveyor
• Acquired by passing the
Level 4/5 test with 95%
and conducting 50
surveys
• The 50 surveys must
have been submitted
prior to taking this test
• Expert Level

87. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• The simplest way to move up is
to survey!
• The more experience you have
surveying, the better prepared
you will be
• The experience levels are
intended to be a measure of
your identification skills based
on your in-water experiences
• That is why there is a minimum
number of surveys requirement
as part of the levels

88. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• The simplest way to move up is
to survey!
• The more experience you have
surveying, the better prepared
you will be
• The experience levels are
intended to be a measure of
your identification skills based
on your in-water experiences
• That is why there is a minimum
number of surveys requirement
as part of the levels

89. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• The simplest way to move up is
to survey!
• The more experience you have
surveying, the better prepared
you will be
• The experience levels are
intended to be a measure of
your identification skills based
on your in-water experiences
• That is why there is a minimum
number of surveys requirement
as part of the levels

90. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• The simplest way to move up is
to survey!
• The more experience you have
surveying, the better prepared
you will be
• The experience levels are
intended to be a measure of
your identification skills based
on your in-water experiences
• That is why there is a minimum
number of surveys requirement
as part of the levels

91. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• The simplest way to move up is
to survey!
• The more experience you have
surveying, the better prepared
you will be
• The experience levels are
intended to be a measure of
your identification skills based
on your in-water experiences
• That is why there is a minimum
number of surveys requirement
as part of the levels

92. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• for Level 3, make sure you
have a good knowledge of
the top 125-150 species
• the Level 3 test does not
include anything too cryptic
or rare and it mostly reviews
adult stages of fishes (not
juveniles)
• You will need to know the
common name of the family
to which each fish belongs

93. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• for Level 3, make sure you
have a good knowledge of
the top 125-150 species
• the Level 3 test does not
include anything too cryptic
or rare and it mostly reviews
adult stages of fishes (not
juveniles)
• You will need to know the
common name of the family
to which each fish belongs

94. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• for Level 3, make sure you
have a good knowledge of
the top 125-150 species
• the Level 3 test does not
include anything too cryptic
or rare and it mostly reviews
adult stages of fishes (not
juveniles)
• You will need to know the
common name of the family
to which each fish belongs

95. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• for Level 4/5, you will need to
have a broader knowledge of
the life history phases of fishes
(juveniles, initial phases)
• as well as some of the more
rare and cryptic things that
experienced surveyors find on
their dives
• a good starting point is looking
at the top 200 species in the
region
• You will also need to know the
common name of the family to
which each fish belongs

96. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• for Level 4/5, you will need to
have a broader knowledge of
the life history phases of fishes
(juveniles, initial phases)
• as well as some of the more
rare and cryptic things that
experienced surveyors find on
their dives
• a good starting point is looking
at the top 200 species in the
region
• You will also need to know the
common name of the family to
which each fish belongs

97. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• for Level 4/5, you will need to
have a broader knowledge of
the life history phases of fishes
(juveniles, initial phases)
• as well as some of the more
rare and cryptic things that
experienced surveyors find on
their dives
• a good starting point is looking
at the top 200 species in the
region
• You will also need to know the
common name of the family to
which each fish belongs

98. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Experience Levels
How to prepare to move up a
level
• for Level 4/5, you will need to
have a broader knowledge of
the life history phases of fishes
(juveniles, initial phases)
• as well as some of the more
rare and cryptic things that
experienced surveyors find on
their dives
• a good starting point is looking
at the top 200 species in the
region
• You will also need to know the
common name of the family to
which each fish belongs

100. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
• Survey types – SO or SA
• Density Index (Den)
• Sighting Frequency (%SF)
• Abundance Score
(Abund)

101. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
• Survey types – SO or SA
• Density Index (Den)
• Sighting Frequency (%SF)
• Abundance Score
(Abund)

102. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
• Survey types – SO or SA
• Density Index (Den)
• Sighting Frequency (%SF)
• Abundance Score
(Abund)

103. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
• Survey types – SO or SA
• Density Index (Den)
• Sighting Frequency (%SF)
• Abundance Score
(Abund)

104. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
• Survey types – SO or SA
• Density Index (Den)
• Sighting Frequency (%SF)
• Abundance Score
(Abund)

105. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Density Index (Den)
• This is a measure of how
many individuals of a
species are observed based
on a scale of 1-4
• It is representative of the
abundance category (1-4)
which was most frequently
recorded for the species
when it was observed
• This weighted density
average is calculated
(nS * 1) + (nF * 2) + (nM * 3) + (nA * 4)
----------------------------------------------------------
Total number of surveys in which species was
reported-)

106. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Density Index (Den)
• This is a measure of how
many individuals of a
species are observed based
on a scale of 1-4
• It is representative of the
abundance category (1-4)
which was most frequently
recorded for the species
when it was observed
• This weighted density
average is calculated
(nS * 1) + (nF * 2) + (nM * 3) + (nA * 4)
----------------------------------------------------------
Total number of surveys in which species was
reported-)

107. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Density Index (Den)
• This is a measure of how
many individuals of a
species are observed based
on a scale of 1-4
• It is representative of the
abundance category (1-4)
which was most frequently
recorded for the species
when it was observed
• This weighted density
average is calculated
(nS * 1) + (nF * 2) + (nM * 3) + (nA * 4)
----------------------------------------------------------
Total number of surveys in which species was
reported-)

108. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Density Index (Den)
• This is a measure of how
many individuals of a
species are observed based
on a scale of 1-4
• It is representative of the
abundance category (1-4)
which was most frequently
recorded for the species
when it was observed
• This weighted density
average is calculated
(nS * 1) + (nF * 2) + (nM * 3) + (nA * 4)
----------------------------------------------------------
Total number of surveys in which species was
reported-)

109. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Sighting Frequency (%SF)
• This is a measure of how
often the species was
observed
• It indicates the
percentage of times out
of all surveys that the
species was recorded
• The %SF parameter for a
given species is calculated
number of surveys that the species was
reported
----------------------------------------------------------
total number of surveys conducted)

110. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Sighting Frequency (%SF)
• This is a measure of how
often the species was
observed
• It indicates the
percentage of times out
of all surveys that the
species was recorded
• The %SF parameter for a
given species is calculated
number of surveys that the species was
reported
----------------------------------------------------------
total number of surveys conducted)

111. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Sighting Frequency (%SF)
• This is a measure of how
often the species was
observed
• It indicates the
percentage of times out
of all surveys that the
species was recorded
• The %SF parameter for a
given species is calculated
number of surveys that the species was
reported
----------------------------------------------------------
total number of surveys conducted)

112. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Sighting Frequency (%SF)
• This is a measure of how
often the species was
observed
• It indicates the
percentage of times out
of all surveys that the
species was recorded
• The %SF parameter for a
given species is calculated
number of surveys that the species was
reported
----------------------------------------------------------
total number of surveys conducted)

113. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Abundance Score (Abund)
• By simultaneously examining
the sighting frequency (%SF)
and density index (Den), data
summaries can be interpreted
for different species
• The Den and %SF scores can
be multiplied to provide a
measure of species
abundance which includes
zero observations
• Abund = %SF x Den

114. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Abundance Score (Abund)
• By simultaneously examining
the sighting frequency (%SF)
and density index (Den), data
summaries can be interpreted
for different species
• The Den and %SF scores can
be multiplied to provide a
measure of species
abundance which includes
zero observations
• Abund = %SF x Den

115. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Abundance Score (Abund)
• By simultaneously examining
the sighting frequency (%SF)
and density index (Den), data
summaries can be interpreted
for different species
• The Den and %SF scores can
be multiplied to provide a
measure of species
abundance which includes
zero observations
• Abund = %SF x Den

116. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data
Abundance Score (Abund)
• By simultaneously examining
the sighting frequency (%SF)
and density index (Den), data
summaries can be interpreted
for different species
• The Den and %SF scores can
be multiplied to provide a
measure of species
abundance which includes
zero observations
• Abund = %SF x Den

117. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Interpreting Data

118. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Current Surveys
• Every dive
• 100 – 130 species per
dive

119. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Current Surveys
• Every dive
• 100 – 130 species per
dive

120. OceanCARE
Fish Survey Project
Current Surveys
• Every dive
• 100 – 130 species per
dive

122. OceanCARE
Sea Turtle Sighting Program
Why sea turtles?
• As the reach of survey effort
continues to expand, there have
been many ideas and thoughts
of how to capitalize on the
thousands of eyes looking
underwater
• While main focus is marine fish,
we have decided to incorporate
two additional components
through collaborations with
other organizations – the
invertebrate monitoring
program and sea turtles

123. OceanCARE
Sea Turtle Sighting Program
Why sea turtles?
• As the reach of survey effort
continues to expand, there have
been many ideas and thoughts
of how to capitalize on the
thousands of eyes looking
underwater
• While main focus is marine fish,
we have decided to incorporate
two additional components
through collaborations with
other organizations – the
invertebrate monitoring
program and sea turtles

124. OceanCARE
Sea Turtle Sighting Program
Why sea turtles?
• As the reach of survey effort
continues to expand, there have
been many ideas and thoughts
of how to capitalize on the
thousands of eyes looking
underwater
• While main focus is marine fish,
we have decided to incorporate
two additional components
through collaborations with
other organizations – the
invertebrate monitoring
program and sea turtles

125. OceanCARE
Sea Turtle Sighting Program
Why sea turtles?
• As the reach of survey effort
continues to expand, there have
been many ideas and thoughts
of how to capitalize on the
thousands of eyes looking
underwater
• While main focus is marine fish,
we have decided to incorporate
two additional components
through collaborations with
other organizations – the
invertebrate monitoring
program and sea turtles

126. OceanCARE
Sea Turtle Sighting Program
Why sea turtles?
• It is well known that sea
turtles are facing increasing
threats and their populations
have continued to decline
• Unfortunately, as with all
aspects of the marine
environment, scientists and
resource managers simply do
not have the means to
adequately monitor the
status and distribution of sea
turtles

127. OceanCARE
Sea Turtle Sighting Program
Why sea turtles?
• It is well known that sea
turtles are facing increasing
threats and their populations
have continued to decline
• Unfortunately, as with all
aspects of the marine
environment, scientists and
resource managers simply do
not have the means to
adequately monitor the
status and distribution of sea
turtles

128. OceanCARE
Sea Turtle Sighting Program
Why sea turtles?
• Sea turtle sighting data that
are provided by the Roving
Diver Technique will be
useful and valid
• Easy to add sightings and
abundance data on a slate
• Seaturtle.org will manage
the information to the sea
turtle research community

129. OceanCARE
Sea Turtle Sighting Program
Why sea turtles?
• Sea turtle sighting data that
are provided by the Roving
Diver Technique will be
useful and valid
• Easy to add sightings and
abundance data on a slate
• Seaturtle.org will manage
the information to the sea
turtle research community

130. OceanCARE
Sea Turtle Sighting Program
Why sea turtles?
• Sea turtle sighting data that
are provided by the Roving
Diver Technique will be
useful and valid
• Easy to add sightings and
abundance data on a slate
• Seaturtle.org will manage
the information to the sea
turtle research community

132. OceanCARE
Cleaning Station Study
How can you contribute
• SA survey
• Cleaning station
categorisation
• Open
• Structural
• Low rugosity
• High rugosity
• Client Identification

133. OceanCARE
Cleaning Station Study
How can you contribute
• SA survey
• Cleaning station
categorisation
• Open
• Structural
• Low rugosity
• High rugosity
• Client Identification

134. OceanCARE
Cleaning Station Study
How can you contribute
• SA survey
• Cleaning station
categorisation
• Open
• Structural
• Low rugosity
• High rugosity
• Client Identification

135. OceanCARE
Cleaning Station Study
How can you contribute
• SA survey
• Cleaning station
categorisation
• Open
• Structural
• Low rugosity
• High rugosity
• Client Identification

136. OceanCARE
Cleaning Station Study
How can you contribute
• SA survey
• Cleaning station
categorisation
• Open
• Structural
• Low rugosity
• High rugosity
• Client Identification

137. OceanCARE
Cleaning Station Study
How can you contribute
• SA survey
• Cleaning station
categorisation
• Open
• Structural
• Low rugosity
• High rugosity
• Client Identification

138. OceanCARE
Cleaning Station Study
How can you contribute
• SA survey
• Cleaning station
categorisation
• Open
• Structural
• Low rugosity
• High rugosity
• Client Identification

139. OceanCARE
Cleaning Station Study
How can you contribute
• SA survey
• Cleaning station
categorisation
• Open
• Structural
• Low rugosity
• High rugosity
• Client Identification

140. OceanCARE
Cleaning Station Study
How can you contribute
• SA survey
• Cleaning station
categorisation
• Open
• Structural
• Low rugosity
• High rugosity
• Client Identification

142. OceanCARE
Sea Slug Mapping
How can you contribute
• Photos
• Distribution list
• Depth
• Size
• Temp
• Season
• Density Index
• Abundance
• Sighting frequency
• Mapping

143. OceanCARE
Sea Slug Mapping
How can you contribute
• Photos
• Distribution list
• Depth
• Size
• Temp
• Season
• Density Index
• Abundance
• Sighting frequency
• Mapping

144. OceanCARE
Sea Slug Mapping
How can you contribute
• Photos
• Distribution list
• Depth
• Size
• Temp
• Season
• Density Index
• Abundance
• Sighting frequency
• Mapping

145. OceanCARE
Sea Slug Mapping
How can you contribute
• Photos
• Distribution list
• Depth
• Size
• Temp
• Season
• Density Index
• Abundance
• Sighting frequency
• Mapping

146. OceanCARE
Sea Slug Mapping
How can you contribute
• Photos
• Distribution list
• Depth
• Size
• Temp
• Season
• Density Index
• Abundance
• Sighting frequency
• Mapping

147. OceanCARE
Sea Slug Mapping
How can you contribute
• Photos
• Distribution list
• Depth
• Size
• Temp
• Season
• Density Index
• Abundance
• Sighting frequency
• Mapping

148. OceanCARE
Sea Slug Mapping
How can you contribute
• Photos
• Distribution list
• Depth
• Size
• Temp
• Season
• Density Index
• Abundance
• Sighting frequency
• Mapping

149. OceanCARE
Sea Slug Mapping
How can you contribute
• Photos
• Distribution list
• Depth
• Size
• Temp
• Season
• Density Index
• Abundance
• Sighting frequency
• Mapping

150. OceanCARE
Sea Slug Mapping
How can you contribute
• Photos
• Distribution list
• Depth
• Size
• Temp
• Season
• Density Index
• Abundance
• Sighting frequency
• Mapping

151. OceanCARE
Sea Slug Mapping
How can you contribute
• Photos
• Distribution list
• Depth
• Size
• Temp
• Season
• Density Index
• Abundance
• Sighting frequency
• Mapping

152. OceanCARE
Sea Slug Mapping
How can you contribute
• Photos
• Distribution list
• Depth
• Size
• Temp
• Season
• Density Index
• Abundance
• Sighting frequency
• Mapping

154. OceanCARE
Marine Citizen Scientists
Important Points
• Not compulsory
• Survey method will not
interfere with normal
diving
• Diver experience vs.
Marine ID experience
• Level of involvement
• Photos
• Just be there – extra eyes
in the water