Register as a volunteer diver
Kelp Restoration Diver Certification
Kelp Restoration Diver Certification
Registered divers will receive newsletters with project updates, events, and ways to help kelp.
Kelp Restoration Diver Certification
Kelp Restoration Diver Certification
Kelp Restoration Diver Certification
Get certified as a PADI or NAUI Kelp Restoration Diver. What will you learn?
Culling urchins on Tanker's Reef
Kelp Restoration Diver Certification
Culling urchins on Tanker's Reef
Stephen Pacetti's video shows a day of urchin culling on Tanker's Reef. You'll love the cool critters he sees!
Becoming a certified Kelp Restoration Diver
Prerequisites
- Open Water certification
- Comfortable diving in Monterey (~20 dives)
- You can maintain neutral buoyancy
- Ability to use a compass
If you have doubts about any of these skills, talk to your instructor about combining this class with supplementary training.
What will you learn?
- Why your work is important
- Kelp forests vs urchin barrens
- Sea Urchin Anatomy and Behavior
- Red and Purple Urchins
- Effective, Conservation-Minded Urchin Culling
- Tanker’s Reef Orientation
- How to plan and conduct a Kelp Restoration Dive
- Reporting Invasive species and marine mammal disturbances
- Where to dive at Tanker's Reef
- Collecting & Reporting data
Kelp Restoration Divers in action
Kelp Restoration Divers doing a final check before entering the water.
Heading out to cull urchins at Tanker's Reef. The white buoy marks where most divers descend.
Kelp Restoration Divers-in-training with Aquarius Dive Shop are ready to swim out to the grid
Kelp Restoration Divers gear up at a G2KR meetup
Happy to be underwater restoring kelp at Tanker's Reef
Kelp Restoration Diver prepares for a second dive.
Kelp Restoration Divers celebrate the end of a productive day.
Kelp Restoration Divers-in-training aboard the Beachhopper II with Bamboo Reef.
Careful culling of a red urchin on bare rock to make sure to not harm other marine life.
Links for Kelp Restoration Students
One-time Volunteer Diver Registration
Do this only once, before your first dive on the project site (Grid or Orange Buoy). Registered divers will receive newsletters and updates.
Find a Kelp Restoration Instructor
PADI and NAUI classes are available
Online waiver and release form must be signed before diving on the Tankers' Reef Project
Read dive conditions reports, sign up for meetups and other events, share your experiences.
Join a G2KR Tanker's Reef Dive Meetup
Certified divers may join us for a one-time "trial" kelp restoration dive if you have had at least 20 dives (6+ in cold water) and have solid buoyancy control skills.
Buy a California Sportfishing License online
Mandatory for all divers who cull urchins.
Your license must be within reach when you return to the beach or boat.
Kelp Forest Restoration Dive Basics
Printable Kelp Forest Restoration class summary and step-by-step procedures for your dive.
Current Tanker's Reef Urchin Culling Data
Current as of 11/25/2022. Under Construction as we move to the new SalesForce portal.
Before You Dive: Get a "Where to Cull" assignment
On the Grid or Orange Buoy for Kelp Forest Restoration Specialty certified divers.
For work on the Grid or Orange Buoy
Submit one log entry per diver for each dive
Each diver in a buddy team should submit their own data logs.
Each dive logged counts as a virtual "raffle ticket."
Book a Tanker's Reef Kelp Restoration dive on the Beachhopper II
Discounted mid-week trips are for certified Kelp Restoration Divers only
Instructors for Kelp Restoration Diver Certification
Aquarius Dive Shop, Monterey (831) 375-1933 PADI
Diver Dan's, Santa Clara (408) 984-5819 PADI
Bamboo Reef Dive Center, Monterey (831) 372-1685 NAUI
Tyler McKinney mckinneytp@gmail.com
Nick Ta nick@bambooreef.com
Naniloa Casteel
Alyssa Bellamy
Dave Davies
Pacific Scuba divers, Sunnyvale (408) 247-7702 PADI
Mark Suzuki mark@pacificscubadivers.com
Aquatutus Dive Club, Castro Valley
Dennis Hopper dennis@rxscuba.com PADI
Bill Briscoe wwbcooks@gmail.com NAUI