I think the US forest dept has such manual for marine samples

This paper has a nice detailed description of their use of snorkeling to repeatedly observe and measure the growth of recently settled juvenile cod:

Tupper, M., and Boutilier, R. G. 1995. Size and priority at settlement determine growth and competitive success of newly settled Atlantic cod. Marine Ecology Progress Series 118:295-300

Jon Witman at Brown University has a self published book on SCUBA research techniques that covers this. Contact him for a copy. 

Dear Micah,

thank you for your reply, but the article you suggested me reports only sampling from the surface by snorkelling, for visual census purposes. I'd need something about skin diving, let's say at 3 to 20 meters depth, with the aim of collecting "physical" samples of benthos.

Grazie Cristina,

actually, I was searching a standardized method for skin-diving sampling in a manual or article (if any). There are many papers employing skin-diving or snorkeling for sampling purposes (e.g. visual census works); however, at my knowledge, a standardized technique doesn't exists.

ciao

Try the UK's Joint Nature Conservation Committee Marine Monitoring Handbook: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/MarineMonitoringHandbook  which includes a procedural guideline Quantitative sampling of subtidal sediment biotopes and species using driver-operated cores  here: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/PDF/MMH-Pg%203-8.pdf

Scientific Diving Techniques: A Practical Guide for the Research Diver Paperback – September 1, 2011

by John N. Heine (Author)

Dear Ferrucio

The following 2 book chapters are devoted to techniques in use for biological study by SCUBA diving: 

Hiscock, K. 1987. Chapter 9: Subtidal rock and shallow sediments using diving. p. 198-237 in: Baker J.M. & W.J. Wolff (eds). Biological surveys of estuaries and coasts. Estuarine and brackish-water sciences association handbook, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Munro, C. 2005. Chapter 4: Diving systems. p. 112-159 in: Eleftheriou, A. & A. McIntyre (eds) 2005. Methods for the study of marine benthos, 3rd ed. Blackwell Science Ltd, Oxford.

Also on this subject:

Fager, E.W., A.O. Flechsig, R.F. Ford, R.I. Clutter & R.J. Ghelardi 1966. Equipment for use in ecological studies using scuba. Limnol. & Oceanogr. 11 (4) 503-509.

Stoddart, D.R. & R.E. Johannes 1978. Coral reefs: research methods. Monographs on oceanographic methodology 5. Unesco, Paris.

In German, somewhat outdated but with a lot of references:

Riedl, R. 1967. Die Tauchmethode, ihre Aufgaben und Leistungen bei der Erforschung des Litorals; eine kritische Untersuchung. Helgol. Wiss. Meeresunters. 15 (1-4) 294-352.

One of the most extensive uses of skin (as distinct from SCUBA) diving to conduct research is the manta board (towed diver) surveys of Crown of Thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci)  on the Great Barrier Reef. These Long-Term Monitoring surveys have been going on for more than two decades. Learn about them at: and

Dear Godfried, SCUBA diving sampling techniques are not what I am searching for. I'd like to find some publications (if any) on sampling techniques by skin diving (apnea, you know?), namely without tanks and regulator.

Dear Ferruccio

There are several definitions of skin diving, among them some which include SCUBA. Most techniques mentioned in the references I quoted may be used snorkeling or apnea as well.

Thank you Godfried. From the beginning of your previous answer I thought all those publications are dealt with SCUBA diving (tank+regulator) sampling.

Hi Ferruccio,

only some consideration: in my scientific diver courses and in related technical documentation (ISSD, AIOSS, European Scientific Diving Panel) I have never read about skin diving scientific sampling methods, probably because the limited time available in this type of reconnaissance does not allow any particular activity for the more (as envy Pellizzari, Genoni & Co.  :)  !!!). On the contrary, it’s obvious, time limitation often do not allow you to use many of SCUBA techniques.

Try to ask Professor Cinelli, an institution in scientific diving (!), or, to name some researchers and colleagues which you know very well, very often in water (lucky men!): M. Abbiati, S. Acunto, C.N. Bianchi, M. Ponti, that with their experience, could help you more than me, I’m sure!

Regards

Giovanni