Strangford
Strangford Lough is one of only three UK marine nature reserves.
In Strangford we will resurvey selected sites from earlier surveys to continue the monitoring of this important area.
Isle of Muck
The Isle of Muck is an Ulster Wildlife Trust nature reserve. Join us in exploring its underwater side!
This event is being organised with the Ulster Wildlife Trust to celebrate UK Marine Week
Red Bay
We will be surveying the beautiful coast of the Glens of Antrim in July. The area is extremely tidal so expect some drift dives!
Seasearch Dives
We have a varied programme of dives planned for 2009. Remember that you can also collect data from your own dives, records from all areas of the NI coast are welcome and Adrian can provide suggestions of areas to target. The projects are:
1) Mapping Seagrass beds
Seagrass beds are an important habitat, providing nursery areas for species such as flat fish, and habitat for species such as seahorses and pipefish. We will be mapping the extent and condition of seagrass beds in Strangford Lough and Red Bay (east coast). This will involve the use of quadrats to make seagrass counts (training will be provided) as well as recording species in a seasearch survey. Our 2008 seagrass surveys showed that the seagrass bed in Ballyhenry Bay in Strangford was much bigger than previously suspected. We will be returning this year to map it in detail.
2) Monitoring maerl beds
Maerl is a coralline seaweed, with an appearance a bit like pink twiglets. It can form large beds which are important nursery habitats for species such as scallops. Many Northern Ireland priority species, such as the sand star Astropecten irregularis are also associated with maerl beds. We did some survey work on fossil maerl beds in Red Bay in 2006. This year we will be returning to sites in Red Bay and some new sites in Strangford Lough.
3) Ramore head survey
Last year the sewage outfall pipe on Ramore head (Portrush) was turned off. Over the next three years we will be surveying this site to see what effect this has on the species present here.
4) North Coast Sea Caves
There are several underwater sea caves on the north coast between Portrush and Ballycastle. These are a protected habitat. We will be surveying these areas to record the habitats and species present.
Details of how to book are on the website and information will be sent out nearer the time on the mailing list. The dives are subsidised, on the condition that divers fill out survey forms. Some slots book fast (particularly weekend trips), so email Claire claire.goodwin@gmail.com to book a place if there are dates you are particularly interested in.
Rathlin island
We will be using the liveaboard the Salutay (pictured below) to survey this spectacular area.
Dive dates and booking status are shown on the calendar. If you have a query about any dive or have a suggestion for a Seasearch dive please get in touch.
If you have never dived in Northern Ireland there has never been a better time to try. Several budget airlines including Easyjet, British Midlands and British European fly into Belfast and fast ferry crossings are available from Scotland and North Wales. We can advise on travel arrangements and kit can be hired locally if required.
Seasearch is co-ordinated by the Marine Conservation Society on behalf of the Seasearch Steering Group which comprises the Marine Conservation Society, Wildlife Trusts, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, English Nature, Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage, Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland, Environment Agency, Marine Biological Association, Nautical Archaeological Society, British Sub-Aqua Club, Sub Aqua Association, Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Scottish Sub Aqua Club and independent marine life experts.