Author: Kyle Peter Hebert

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 86

ISBN-13:

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game conducts several dive projects throughout the state that require the use of scuba. Dive projects may involve work in marine and freshwater environments and may require scientific or non-scientific diving. Scientific dive projects usually consist of observation or collecting biological and habitat data for commercially important fish or invertebrate populations. This type of diving often requires only the use of measuring tools, collection bags, and means to write or record data underwater. The department's scientific diving program qualifies for a scientific exemption of commercial diving regulations administered under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The department also conducts non-scientific dive projects that do not qualify for scientific exemption. These projects may include installation and maintenance of fish weirs that cross streams and rivers. Although fish weirs are designed to allow collection of biological data for salmon and other freshwater and anadromous fish, the installation and maintenance of these structures requires underwater work that goes beyond the definition of scientific diving. Another non-scientific diving category the department recognizes is ship husbandry, or diving beneath and around department vessels to observe and inspect hulls and equipment not visible from above the water surface. All dive projects conducted by the department fall under the authority of the Dive Safety Board, which is the governing body that maintains this document, establishes the department's dive safety policy, reviews all dive projects for safety considerations, and approves all dive-related training and equipment.