The most difficult transects to do at Race Rocks Ecological reserve are those underwater. Through the years we have done a number of these, mostly in training sessions with the Pearson College Divers.  We experimented with various types of spools for laying out a line, types of weighted line, measuring tape, quadrat sizes, types of underwater paper on clipboards, types of pencils or writing devices  etc.  The best arrangement was using a 30- 50 metre long tape which could be attached to the peg on shore  and then taken out by the diver in a predetermined compass direction. The biggest problem other than the narrow window to get the work done was always the kelp cover, making the process very difficult in the later part of the year when the Nereocystis, (bull kelp) cover would make it impossible to access some areas.   The divers working in pairs would then proceed along one side of the line producing a record of the belt transect.  

Laura Verhegge and students of Pearson College doing an underwater transect off peg #1 at Race Rocks.

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