The Fish Eye Project, a non-profit group of diving enthusiasts, researchers and educators, will co-ordinate an interactive live-stream video feed for a dive exploring a shipwreck off the coast of Vancouver Island on Thursday.
The Robert Bateman Centre, in the CPR Steamship Terminal at 470 Belleville St., will host the interactive public viewing from 9 a.m. to noon as part of its first Explore the Ocean Day. The dive can also be watched online at fisheyeproject.org.
“The purpose is for ocean literacy, to get people excited about that moment of discovery and be part of it,” said Mike Irvine, co-founder of the Fish Eye Project. Depending on the weather, the divers will explore the military vessel G.B. Church between Sidney and Pender Island or a barge in Deep Cove.
Viewers will be able to watch the divers and see what they see as they move under the surface. They also will be able to communicate with them and ask questions.
Irvine said six schools and people in 15 countries are ready to tune in. “We have people from landlocked communities that will get to experience this.” he said. “I’m hoping this connects everyone to the ocean, with this other world they might not see, and shows them the amazing diversity that’s down there.”
The group will make two dives, one at 9 a.m. and one at 11 a.m. Fish Eye Project members will be on hand at the Robert Bateman Centre to answer questions. Viewers can also interact with the divers online. For more information, go to fisheyeproject.org/live-dives.
— Times Colonist
