The Great Lakes face an ongoing threat from invasive aquatic species — organisms that disrupt native ecosystems, alter food webs, and damage infrastructure. As divers, we have a unique responsibility: we see these species up close, and we can also be part of the problem if we inadvertently transport them between bodies of water. This specialty gives you the knowledge to identify invasive species, understand their impact, and ensure your diving practices don’t contribute to their spread.

This specialty is one of six required for the Great Lakes Master Scuba Diver certification.

What You’ll Learn

The course is delivered across two classroom/online sessions:

Session 1:

• The history of invasive species in the Great Lakes
• How to identify specific invasive species
• How the influx started and its ecological impact
• Steps and programs put in place to control them

Between sessions: View online videos to expand your understanding of invasive species and become familiar with available resources.

Session 2:

• Existing and potential new threats to the Great Lakes and how to identify them
• Methods and procedures to ensure scuba divers do not inadvertently transport invasive aquatic species to uninfected bodies of water

Open Water Dives

Four open water dives across two different environments:

• Two dives in one of the Great Lakes
• Two dives in an inland lake in the region

During these dives, you will select, identify, and catalog four unique examples of invasive species.