Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Course
Appreciate the complexity of coral reef habitats and learn how to help conserve these vital systems.
Everyone likes to scuba dive or snorkel in warm, clear water on a vibrant coral reef, yet many people know little about what they’re seeing or the importance of reef ecosystems. The Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course helps you appreciate the complexity of these habitats and teaches you how you can help conserve these vital systems.
What will you learn?
- Basic coral anatomy & physiology
- Why coral reefs are so important globally & on a local scale.
- What different threats face coral reefs.
- What action you can take to help prevent further decline.
- How Project AWARE® unites divers and water enthusiasts to make a difference.
Who should take this course?
- Anyone interested in learning more about the ocean & how to protect it.
- Scuba divers working towards their Master Diver Certification.
- Divers who want to stay connected during this extended surface interval.
- This certification can count towards your Master Diver certification.
What's Included?
- Project AWARE Training Manual (PDF Download)
- 2 hour live online workshop taught by Water Sports’ in-house biologist & dive instructor.
- No dives or previous experience required.
- Ideal for new divers, kids, snorkelers, & anyone interested in learning more about the ocean & how to protect it.
Price: $79.00
Please contact Water Sports to sign up for this course.
Fish Identification Specialty Course
Enjoy dives even more when you can recognize and identify fish families and their characteristics.
“What was that fish?” is a common question heard after a dive or snorkel. If you want to be the one with the answers, instead of the one asking the questions, then take our Fish Identification Specialty course or workshop. You’ll enjoy your time in the ocean even more when you recognize the creatures that you see and can identify the main fish families and their characteristics.
Once you learn to recognize what types of fish you see, you’ll find it easier to reference the exact species after a scuba dive. For example, a butterfly fish in the Caribbean has a similar shape to a butterfly fish in Southeast Asia, but colors and markings may be wildly different. If you know what fish family it belongs to, you can more easily look up the local name or at least be able to intelligently ask the local scuba instructor what you saw.
What will you learn?
- Basic fish anatomy & physiology
- Threats facing fish populations & how you can help
- Learn to distinguish key features of 13 groups of fish
- Discuss fish survey techniques & strategies
- About Project AWARE® activities that help protect aquatic life
Who should take this course?
- Anyone interested in learning more about ocean creatures
- Scuba divers working towards their Advanced or Master Diver Certifications
- Divers who want to stay connected during this extended surface interval
If you’re at least 10 years old and a PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or higher, you can enroll in the AWARE Fish Identification course.
Course Options
a) Fish Identification Workshop:
- 2.5 hour live online workshop created & taught by Water Sports’ in-house biologist & dive instructor.
- Ideal for kids, snorkelers & divers looking to refresh their knowledge of Caribbean fish.
- This is general interest program, not a certification course.
Price: $69.00
b) Fish Identification Certification:
- 2.5 hour live online workshop created and taught by Water Sports’ in-house biologist and dive instructor.
- Two dives where you will put your knowledge to the test (must be done in the Caribbean)
- PADI Fish ID certification card
- This certification can count towards your Advanced Open Water Diver, and Master Diver certifications.
Price: $149.00
Please contact Water Sports to sign up for this course.