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"REEF
Fish and Invertebrate ID" The class teaches divers how to ID NW marine life, and gives them a chance to dive in crystal clear exhibits teeming with life
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is offering a rare opportunity for intermediate SCUBA divers. "REEF ID Plus" is an extraordinary experience for divers who will go into the waters of the Aquarium's "Passages of the Deep" exhibit, home to hundreds of marine animals.
Vallorie Hodges, Dive Safety Officer at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, described what students in the class will experience, "We'll be right up close to many common - and some uncommon Pacific Northwest fishes and invertebrates. This is an ideal place for divers to learn about marine life because you would have to log many hours diving in the open water of the Oregon Coast to find and identify the marine life you will see in one dive at the Aquarium."
The Class is led by Janna Nichols, a REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) instructor. The popular class is fun, too. You won't be bored!
"This is a prime northwest diving experience… seated entry with a tender to help gear up, no currents and crystal clear water. And we guarantee you will see lots of animals," said Hodges.
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The
next class is from 8am to 5pm on Saturday, June 7th, 2008 and includes
the basic REEF Fish ID curriculum, as well as a dive in the exhibit.
In
this setting at the aquarium, divers learn in more focused manner. "You
see the animals through the acrylic, learn about them in a classroom and
then dive into Passages of The Deep at the Aquarium." Hodges says,
"You really get to see them up close and walk away with a solid knowledge
of what you see in Pacific Northwest waters."
Nichols
uses her own photos to help students learn the characteristics of the
animals and will focus on fish identification, as well as showing the
class how to conduct a REEF fish survey. 
The
Oregon Coast Aquarium is a private, not-for-profit aquatic and marine
science educational facility offering a fun and interesting way to learn
about Oregon's unique coastal ecosystem. The Aquarium is dedicated to
teaching marine wildlife and ocean conservation through responsible management
and exhibition of marine life. For more information, visit the Aquarium's
Web site at www.aquarium.org or call (541) 867-FISH.