Scuba Diving International (SDI) and Paul watson foundation UK team up to develop and launch the first accredited ‘GHOSTNET RECOVERY’ speciality course

📁 Archive Document — Historical Record

This article was first published when our charity's original name/branding as 'Sea Shepherd UK' prior to our name change on 18th May 2023 following the removal of Captain Paul Watson from Sea Shepherd entities worldwide (with the exception of the UK, France and Brazil).

Captain Paul Watson remains a member of our Board, and our charity continues to uphold its founding principles of non-violent direct action marine conservation.

This article and its contents are the property of the 'Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK' and forms part of our 21 year history.

Learn more at paulwatsonfoundation.uk/new-name

Scuba Diving International are very proud to work with Paul Watson Foundation UK to develop a 'Ghostnet Recovery' speciality course.

Ghostnets are a huge problem in our oceans. Fishing nets, lines and pots are often lost by fishermen as part of their daily operations. These continue to catch fish and other marine life long after they have been lost. As divers we see the problems that this lost gear causes but we also have the opportunity to get involved in trying to clean up at least some of these lost nets.

The Paul Watson Foundation UK Ghostnet Campaign has been incredibly successful in recovering large amounts of ghostnets and gear as well as engaging in outreach and education on the issue. More and more divers want to get involved in the project — but there are significant risks in lifting ghostnets and it is essential that proper training is provided before anyone attempts to lift a net or other lost/discarded fishing gear.

By Paul Watson Foundation UK teaming up with SDI this allows specially trained instructors to provide a recognised training programme which covers all of the surveying, lifting techniques and safety considerations required to perform this activity.

The SDI Paul Watson Foundation UK Ghostnet Recovery course has been developed with Paul Watson Foundation UK and active SDI instructors involved in the project, and formalises the training programme that has already been delivered to Paul Watson Foundation UK's volunteer divers.

SDI is recognised worldwide and is a member of the WRSTC, RSTC-US, RSTC-Europe. It is accredited by the EUF as meeting all relevant EN and ISO standards. In addition, SDI was heavily involved in the creation of the new ISO standards on 'Requirements for training on environmental awareness for recreational divers' and 'Requirements and guidance on sustainable practices in recreational diving'.

"Paul Watson Foundation UK is thrilled to be partnering with Scuba Diving International on this world's first accredited 'Ghostnet Retrieval' speciality course. Our thanks goes especially to Tony Land (Paul Watson Foundation UK's Ghostnet Campaign coordinator, dive instructor and technical diver), John Crawshaw (owner of Dive Manchester, SDI/TDI/PADI instructor) who have been working in cooperation with the renowned Mark Powell of DIVE-TECH — a TDI Instructor, a member of TDI's Global Training Advisor Panel, representing TDI on the British Diving Safety Group and on the HSE's Recreational Diving Industry Committee, and also a member of the Diver Training and Breathing Apparatus committees at the British Standards Institute."

— Robert Read, Chief Operating Officer, Paul Watson Foundation UK

Further Information:

In January 2018, Paul Watson Foundation UK (marine conservation charity registration number 1110501) launched our Ghostnet Campaign to remove hazardous ghost fishing gear from coastal areas around England, Scotland and Wales. Once lost or discarded, sections of fishing net and other fishing equipment can drift through the ocean or be left snagged on wrecks, rocks and reefs — indiscriminately killing marine wildlife for decades. Our Ghostnet Campaign divers and crew work closely with the Marine Management Organisations and other relevant authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to ensure that ghost fishing equipment is removed safely, legally and without harm to the environment or wildlife.

Assigned year-round to the campaign are Paul Watson Foundation UK's two diver-modified RIBs:

'Ghost' — a twin 115hp engine 7.4m Atlantic 75 'Phantom' — a single 115hp engine 5.8m Humber Destroyer

with a third, 'Siren' — a single 90hp engine 5.5m Humber Destroyer — in reserve.

All three boats are fitted with 3D StructureScan sonar to pinpoint wrecks and to help identify and locate objects on or above the seafloor.