ESD Operators: Roles and Duties for the Environmental Monitoring Activities of ARPA Puglia

ARPA Puglia (Italy), the Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Protection, has chosen to use Scientific Diving Operator figure (ESD) in order meet some of environmental monitoring activities foreseen by European Directives, such as WFD-Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC MSFD-Marine Strategy 2008/56/EC. Regarding obligations aforementioned many them involve underwater operations. For example, both Directives (MSFD WFD) require Posidonia oceanica situ, collecting data on shoot density other eco-biometric parameters, also describing main ecological aspect seagrass meadows; about Pinna nobilis, visual census its distribution abundance is carried out underwater; non-indigenous species provided MSFD requires qualitative quantitative sampling benthic communities hard bottoms harbors performed a scratching technique. All described need operations ESDs, so developed path implementation good practices subject: adopting national Guide Lines Good safe performance activities” (ISPRA manual n. 94/2013; D.D.G. n.229/2016); identifying diving equipment Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); allowing acquisition or renewal ESD scientific license operational staff; annual medical check-up opening call acquire specialized figures, selected according Panel standards. Details ESDs are this document.