Seadragons Dive Group

The Seadragons is a Tasmanian (Tassie) scuba diving club formed to encourage diving as a safe and friendly exploration of our planet’s diverse marine ecosystems. The club’s mission encompasses not only observing the beauty and wonder of the underwater world but also sharing these experiences through its Facebook page and volunteering at events such as the TEER Tamar Discovery Day.Membership and Qualifications:All Seadragons dive members are qualified PADI divers and actively participate in the PADI AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) conservation program. This ensures high standards of safety, environmental awareness, and diving proficiency among all members.Conservation Efforts:A cornerstone of the Seadragons’ activities is marine conservation. During dives, members only collect marine debris—apart from photographs—as part of their commitment to environmental stewardship. Many shore dives are conducted near fishing pontoons, which are hotspots for accidental marine debris, such as lost fishing rods, deck chairs blown into the water, and discarded fishing tackle packaging. Notably, the club has retrieved unusual items including bikes and, on one occasion, 14 shopping trolleys.Community Involvement and Projects:•Northern Pacific Star Fish Clean-ups: The club takes part in organised marine clean-up events aimed at removing invasive species and protecting local marine life.• Giant Kelp Forest Restoration: Members contribute to the recovery of giant kelp forests, a vital and iconic ecosystem in Tasmania. Several have completed the PADI Giant Kelp Restoration Specialty Course, gaining specialised expertise to support this important work, including the removal of Longspined Sea Urchins.•GIRT Scientific Divers ‘Adopt-a-Wreck’ Project: As part of the Gathering Information via Recreational and Technical (GIRT) initiative, Seadragons members are trained to systematically document observable physical and natural features of historic shipwrecks, submerged aircraft, and other underwater cultural heritage sites. This citizen science project enables better understanding and management of these sites, focusing on the factors driving their preservation or deterioration.The Seadragons Dive Club exemplifies a holistic approach to scuba diving by combining recreational underwater exploration with active marine conservation, citizen science, and community outreach. Through their qualifications, training, and hands-on projects, club members make significant contributions to understanding and protecting Tasmania’s unique marine environments.