Observation is valuable, but its scope is clear
A diver may see a school of fish on a single dive and not see any at all the next day. It cannot be concluded from these two observations that the population is increasing or decreasing. Field records gain meaning through consistency of date and method. The observation accumulation of a diving center over many years is a valuable archive; however, it alone is not a substitute for scientific population research.
Examples of 60 fish species
The Çandarlı Gulf study published by Ege University researchers in 2014 reported 60 fish species with trawl samples from 2003–2004. This result is valid for that sampling method and time. It is not right to produce the same list just from photographs taken in a rocky area.
Turning a photo into a useful observation
Include in the photograph the date of capture, the level of detail allowed for the location, observed habitat, and species identification confidence. Unsure types should be marked as "pending verification". A unique registration number can be used to avoid duplication when the same photo is shared by different users.
The value of observation for conservation
Observations such as anchor-related bottom damage, ghost nets or unusual appearances can be recorded for referral to the appropriate authorities. It is not recommended that divers remove hazardous material on their own or disseminate coordinates identifying sensitive areas on the Internet. Safety and environmental sensitivity are always a priority.
Deep Dive's field memory
Our proposed “Çandarlı Underwater Observation Book” will mark the verified photo records of volunteer divers differently with explanations based on scientific publications. If this distinction is maintained, a more reliable source of information may emerge years later.
Related: Underwater Research · Gallery
Sources
- Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2014
- Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2020 · PDF of the article
This is an informational text. It is not a substitute for an updated dive plan, operational clearance and personal medical evaluation. Source, place, date and usage permission are required for photographs.