Aware Fish ID Specialty
Have you ever been scuba diving and asked yourself, "What was that?"
The PADI Project AWARE Fish Identification Specialty course provides you with the fish identification basics so that next time, you know the answer.
What You Learn
During two dives you gain hands-on (okay, eyes-on) experience in looking for and identifying the fascinating fish you see underwater. You'll learn :
- How to identify characteristics of local fish families and species
- Fish survey techniques and strategies
- How to practice fish identification dive planning, organization and procedures
The Fun Part
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.
For example, a butterfly fish in the Caribbean has a similar shape to a butterfly fish in Southeast Asia, but their colors and markings maybe wildly different. If you know what fish family it belongs to, it becomes much easier to 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."
| DATE | Notes | Tuition | Details | Sign Up | |
| May 30 | PNW Fish ID Night - Oddballs and Surf Perch | FREE | Register | ||
| Jun 27 | PNW Fish ID Night - Advanced Fish ID | FREE | Register | ||
Course Notes
The Quick Facts
We Provide
- There is no required learning material for this course
- This is a non-diving course. Scuba equipment is not required.
You Provide
- Specialty Kit - no specialty gear required for this course, however there are a number of marine life identification books which will enhance your experience. We encourage you to explore membership in the REEF organization.
Course Alternatives
Your Next Adventure
While you're learning about fish, you'll probably also be curious about the different types of coral and want to check out the Coral Reef Conservationist course.
As you learn about fish survey techniques you may also want to work on a conservation project as part of your PADI National Geographic Diver certification.
You may also want to brush up on your underwater photography skills so that you can document and capture images of the conditions of the reefs and species you're encountering.