An IFOP professional participates in international Scientific Diving course
March 20th, 2022
Alex González Villarroel, Semi-Senior Technologist, assigned to IFOP Management Areas Section, participated at “International Scientific Diving Course Chile 2022“, which was developed under”CMAS” World Confederation of Underwater Activities for the CASD Advanced Scientific Diver level established standards it was taught by Underwater Heritage “VALPOSUB”Research and Development Center, jointly with San Ignacio del Huinay Foundation, through CMAS America Zone and FEDESUB-Chile Scientific Committee, under CSDI supervision, World Confederation of Underwater Activities America Zone and Secretary of the CMAS Scientific and Sustainability Committee María Clotilde Zeckua Ramos Scientific Committee Director.
Alex González pointed out that: “The course contents covered international scientific diving standards, considering safety and accident prevention, regulatory aspects and field activity general knowledge. The matters dealt with were related to diving work carried out by technologists who belong to Management Areas Section. With course approval, Advanced Scientific Diver license (CASD) is obtained. This certification empowers to guide research teams and manage underwater research programs, maintaining training and certification standards that allow replicable research development, ensuring that all scientific dives are carried out maximizing divers protection against injuries, illnesses and/or or accidents.
Luis Ariz, Jefe de la Sección Áreas de Manejo de IFOP, que: “El buceo en investigaciones marinas es de una importancia invaluable en la observaciones y mediciones subacuáticas in situ, que de otra forma no es posible de realizar; nos permite realizar pruebas metodológicas de muestreos de especies bentónicas de interés, como de verificaciones del impacto de actividades antrópicas, cambios en los ecosistemas, entre otras. En este sentido, la participación de Alex González, en un curso de capacitación de Buceo Científico, apunta a reforzar y mejorar la práctica de buceo, tanto en sus objetivos de investigación y/o mantención de equipos bajo el agua, como en cuestiones preventivas, en concordancia con los propósitos de IFOP de mejoramiento de las respuestas técnico-profesionales del personal involucrado en investigación pesquera y acuícola”.
Alex added that: “The course approval is an important milestone in my personal development and improving my technical responses in my work, for which I am very grateful for all support and facilities provided by IFOP”.
Luis Ariz, IFOP Management Areas Section Head: “Diving in marine research is of invaluable importance in in situ underwater observations and measurements, which would not be possible to carry out otherwise; It allows us to carry out interest benthic species methodological sampling testing, as well as verification of anthropic activities impact, ecosystems changes, among others. In this sense, Alex González participation, in a Scientific Diving training course, aims to reinforce and improve the practice of diving, both in its research objectives and/or maintenance of underwater equipment, as well as in preventive matters, in accordance with IFOP purposes of improving technical-professional responses of personnel involved in fisheries and aquaculture research”.