Nova Scotia scientists dive deep into the province’s coastal biodiversity

Members of CPAWS Nova Scotia speak about a first-of-its-kind program involving free diving and how it helps conservation.

With approximately 13,000 kilometers of coastline, Nova Scotia is home to a wide variety of marine habitats and biodiversity.

Members of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s Nova Scotia chapter (CPAWS-NS) are freediving to understand life beneath the waves.

“Freediving, in contrast to scuba diving is just going into the water and snorkelling,” says Hunter Stevens, research manager with CPAWS-NS. “You have no extra air accessories.”

You don’t have to hike in any air tanks or heavy equipment because you’re holding your breath, Stevens says.

“This offers us a lot of flexibility and allows us to reach really remote places,” he adds.

Conservation freediving is unique says Ange Whiteway, manager of operations with CPAWS-NS.

“This program that we’ve developed here in Nova Scotia is the first of its kind in Canada,” Whiteway says.

“Really kind of honing in on how we can assess biodiversity around our province.”

The freediving program takes the team to remote parts of Nova Scotia that are removed from human influence.

“They’re really pristine and natural,” Stevens says. “We’re looking at everything that we can see and we’re documenting it.”

Divers wear underwater slates they use to write down their observations and document the species they see. They also take pictures and video.

“It’s very physically intense,” says Stevens. “It’s not just going out for a swim.”

Holding your breath and staying steady so you don’t startle the animals you’re documenting is a challenge, he adds.

“We’ve seen some really awesome stuff here in Nova Scotia.”

To find out what people are spotting in the water, from local species to tropical fish, Whiteway recommends joining the Snorkel Nova Scotia Facebook group.

“There’s a huge uptick in snorkelling right now in Nova Scotia” Whiteway says, adding it’s a great way to keep up with what people are spotting in local waters. “The Facebook page is being updated every day.”

According to Stevens, the group loves gathering data through observation because it doesn’t disturb nature and it’s accessible.

“Anybody can do it,” he says. “My mom sort of has some mobility issues and she loves snorkelling because when you’re in the water you’re very weightless.”

Participants range from eight to 80 years old.

“If you’re interested, shoot us a message and you can come out,” says Stevens.

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