Buccaneer Diving also strongly supports sea turtle conservation and has designed a specialty course aimed at sea turtle conservation. The course is entitled Sea Turtle Diver.
The PADI approved Sea Turtle Diver Specialty course consists of one academic session and two dives. The theory outlines the life history of sea turtles, the various species of sea turtles, the life cycle of sea turtles and the numerous threats that sea turtles face. This finishes with a glimpse of the various conservation measures in place to protect the sea turtles.
During the dives divers will be taught to identify sea turtles both at a species level and on an individual level using distinguishing characteristics. To record all these sightings the diver can either use a slate to draw, sketch or make notes, use a camera to capture an image of the turtle (and to further enhance the database), or a combination of the two. For each sea turtle sighted a sighting sheet will be completed and added to the sea turtle database (and passed on to the Kenya Sea Turtle Conservation Committee-KESCOM).
Upon successful completion of the course one is issued with a certification card from PADI stating "Sea Turtle Diver". |