“What was that fish?” is a common question heard after a dive. If you want to be the scuba diver with the answers, instead of the one asking the questions, then take the AWARE Fish Identification Specialty course. You’ll find you enjoy your dives even more when you recognize the creatures that you see. The fun part about this course is you can use the skills you learn on every scuba diving vacation because once you learn the main fish families and characteristics it will help you decipher the species you see all over the world.
If you're at least 10 years old and a PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or higher, you can enroll in the PADI - Fish Identification course.
Course Outline
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. That works better than asking about a “yellow thingy with a funny tail fin.”
During two dives, you'll learn:
- How to identify characteristics of local fish families and species.
- Fish survey techniques and strategies.
- About Project AWARE activities that can help protect aquatic life
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By completing this course you will also be one step closer to achieving the covenant title of Master Scuba Diver and joining the elite group of divers.
Equipment
Beyond using standard scuba equipment, you may need a slate for sketching, fish identification book and a camera to help with positive ID's. Your Phoenix Instructor may suggest additional equipment depending on the dive site features and visibility.
Getting Started
As soon as you sign up (added the course to your cart and payment cleared) with Phoenix Divers to do your AWARE Fish Identification Course, you will receive an email with the learning information you need.
Your Phoenix Divers Instructor will contact you about scheduling time for practical training.
- This Course Requires 1 - 2 Practical Days.
- Normally over weekends but possible for during the week training