The question most people ask is: How can we get involved in the diving surveys or support the education programme?
All our team are volunteers. There are different aspects that we need help with including seabed and species recording, survey projects, community events, creating resources, school visits and fund raising but of course, each aspect requires particular skills, qualities and associated qualifications. Equally important is a passion, reliability and dedication. Sometimes it’s challenging to find a suitable volunteer role but we try to involve any potential member in our wide variety of activities and tasks. Volunteering for our education program or diving projects is open to suitably qualified and experienced people over 18 years of age including university students. Please complete the volunteer contact form.
In 2025 we have been supported by volunteers from the Aztec Group, Ports of Jersey, Fiducia, JICAS and NatWest.
We are not a club or social group but strive to keep our island and wider community informed of our activities. Those activities for under 18’s are coordinated by us through schools, home education or community groups.
Organisations such as the Jersey National Trust , Jersey Heritage , Blue Marine Foundation and Ocean Culture Life often run activity and discovery sessions. The Sea Cadets, Guides and Scouts include the marine environment in their ongoing activity programs.
We need divers with PADI Advanced Open Water Qualification, BSAC Sport or equivalent to help with surveys who are Seasearch qualified.
Divers taking part in survey dives must be self-reliant, current in diving, with Personal & Third Party Liability plus diving medical insurance. You will need your own equipment including drysuit, and camera; such as the Olympus TG5. All equipment needs to be serviced and in good working order. A Computer, torch and surface marker buoy must be carried at all times. A recording slate is also madatory. We also utilise support divers as buddys for our survey divers. For example a husband and wife team may function as the recorder and safety diver (who does not have to be Seasearch qualified).
Please note that the Minimum age for diving volunteers is 18.
Volunteer divers will be required to complete the Seasearch Observer Course
This will teach you about habitats, species, and how to systematically record your findings. If you are into underwater photography this is the perfect course for you as taking images is a very convincing species recording mechanism.
You then need to complete at least five qualifying report forms which will be firstly checked by us to assess you are filling them in accurately. (This does not mean you have to be a species guru in fact the opposite is often better. We don’t want people to guess what they are seeing). The forms are sent off to Seasearch and subject to approval, you will receive your Observer qualification.
Seasearch does charge for the course materials and our current fee is £330 including 5 supported dives. The course theory is run locally by JMC or online by Seasearch , subject to demand.
Education Programme
JMC runs a very active schools education program, visiting island schools. Our workshops and media resources are helping the Islanders to learn proactively about how to safeguard species in our own marine waters.
We need people with a teaching or support background to help us.
We believe education rather than legislation is the way forward, in preserving the Islands future as a healthy place to live.
JERSEY MARINE CONSERVATION 