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Women Divers Hall of Fame Inducts Jacksonvilles Anna DeLoach
A Jacksonville Florida resident, Anna DeLoach will be inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame this month. Here is a nice write up on it at scubadiving.com Congratulation to Anna on her accomplishment. Well deserved! … Read entire article »
The exploitation of the Manta Ray
What is a Manta Ray? Click on this link R. Aidan Martin and the ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research and spend 15 minutes to read about Manta Rays. Facinating creatures. You may spend 15 more minutes to read on the Biology of the Manta Ray. These gentle giants are passive and impose no threat to humans. What I am about to describe is occuring in countries all around the globe, Manta Rays are being slaughtered in unlimited numbers. What is being spread is just like the exploitation of Shark Finning, Manta Rays are being killed off for the same reasons, their gills for soup and traditional medicines to the asian continents. We do know that the slow maturation and reproductive cycles are cause for concern. The reproductive rate of the Manta Ray is slow. With the slughtering occuring at rates … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Fish, Manta Rays, Reference, Report, Sharks
Artificial Reefs
In the February issue of National Geograhic is the article “From Relic to Reefs” in it you will find an exciting story of what artificial reefs do for our ecology and economy. If you are a diver, you will understand the approach from underwater on a sunken object. Some placed there intentionally and some unintentional. The research is in studying the benefits of such placements and the reasons why. Besides bringing pleasure to divers, artificial reefs aid in building homes and safety stops or stations for nomadic creatures as well as those looking for a safe place to setup residence. They also provide a place for fisherpeople to go to catch bait and to catch prey. The economy prospers wth the increase of sales in sporting goods, fishing and diving, boating … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Featured, Reefs, Reference, Report
Reef Research and Reef Building Opportunities
Hello, I want to provide you with an update to our artificial reef projects. To date, we have 100’s of tons of concrete looking for a home. We have willing receipients, we have no money for the projects. While we investigate available avenues for the income, we continue to hunt for material suitable for reefing. Though concrete is a favorite, other material may do, such as steel. Should you learn of any opportunity around the state of Florida in need of experience people to work side by side in placing a reef in your area, please feel free to contact me or visit the TISIRI web site. If you line in or near Jacksonville, Florida and would like to become involved with reef research and artificial reef creation, please visit the Jacksonville Reef Research … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Featured, Fish, Reefs, Report
REEF Making It Count — February 2011
Making It Count – February 2011 Exciting Results from the 2011 Grouper Moon Project By Brice Semmens, Ph.D., Grouper Moon Project Lead Scientist Researchers and volunteers from REEF, along with staff from the Cayman Islands Department of the Environment, have just wrapped up another year of study on Nassau grouper spawning as part of the Grouper Moon Project. Our work this year focused on the spawning aggregation in Little Cayman, which is the largest (and one of just a few) known remaining aggregations of Nassau grouper in the Caribbean. Highlights from this year’s work include:- REEF launched the Baby Grouper Adrift! webpage, which shows the results of state-of-the-art satellite drifter research being conducted. Working with scientists from Oregon State University, the Adrift project aims to better understand where Nassau grouper larvae end up … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Artificial Reefs, Events, Grouper, Open Water, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report
It’s been a bit slow
The boat we were hoping for as our next reef project has been sold for scrap. We’re planning a visit to the vessel today to see how much has been disassembled. We also left one of the hosts to our documentary on the beach and a second reason to stop by and visit, to pick up Mr. Dry Scales. If you are interested in creating a subject and keeping it updated at divetalking, Just create an account for yourself and get started in posting. If there is a need for something, just ask and I will work with you to help organize your posts. Thank you for stopping by and please check back with us for any updates. Larry … Read entire article »
Filed under: Report
Dr. Christian J. Lambertsen layed to rest.
I tribute to a forgotten and perhaps an unknown hero. [singlepic id=123 w=320 h=240 float=] Christian J. Lambertsen, who as a medical student in 1939 invented a revolutionary underwater breathing system used by the military in World War II and who later helped coin the popular acronym to describe his device and others like it – scuba – died of renal failure Feb. 11 at his home in Newtown Square, Pa. He was 93. In 1939, Dr. Lambertsem invented the Lambertsen Amphibious Respirator Unit, or LARU which was turned down by the military for its use. Dr. Lambertsen’s LARU let divers swim freely and stealthily. It used pure oxygen and was a closed system. Equipped with a carbon dioxide filter, it enabled the diver to re-breathe … Read entire article »
Divers want marine sanctuary in waters around Blue Heron Boulevard bridge
RIVIERA BEACH — Scuba divers are asking Palm Beach County to begin the process of designating the waters around the Blue Heron Boulevard bridge and Phil Foster Park as a marine sanctuary. The move is intended to stop the collection of tropical fish for aquariums. County Commissioner Karen Marcus said divers approached her to request the sanctuary designation, which the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission would have to approve. She was surprised to learn that the waters around the park and the bridge have become an internationally recognized hot spot for divers and underwater photographers. “This is a beautiful place, and I think biologically it’s very important,” said George Burgess, a zoologist who studies fish and the director of the Florida Program for Shark Research … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Diver, Fish, Open Water, Photography, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, Videography
Urgent Legislative Alert Regarding Goliath Grouper
Next week, the State of Florida will decide the goliath grouper’s fate. Since 1990, possessing or harvesting this fish has been prohibited by law. After reviewing the available studies and reports, the PADI organization believes it is prudent to maintain the current “no-take” status quo until compelling evidence that the population has satisfactorily recovered to levels that would sustain harvesting is presented. The PADI organization believes it is premature to opening the fishery now because: – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s staff analysis indicates there is insufficient data to use detailed assessment methods, thus requiring more assumption-based (rather than data-based) assessments. 2011 Goliath Grouper presentation – page 9<http://myfwc.com/docs/CommissionMeetings/2011/Feb/GoliathGrouperStock_presentation.pdf> – In the required formal review of the State’s goliath grouper population assessment, the appointed independent scientific panel deemed the assessment was not suitable because of these data … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Events, Featured, Fish, Reefs, Reference, Report
One World Ocean
One World Ocean, oneworldocean.com was founded as the worlds council on all things related to our worlds ocean. One World Ocean is the center which all authority come together and represent humanity as a single entity protecting our worlds interest in our single largest resource, the ocean. Together with scientists, organizations, and governments, One World Ocean combines all our knowldedge into a single force that explores, studies, analyse, and advocates change that help ensure the survival of our One World Ocean. Part of that effort is in education. Through the use of various media, One World Ocean will educate the world about the world we know so little about, what rests beneath our oceans waves. I sincerly hope that you will enjoy these films and come from it a more excited individual knowing the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
SANCTUM – Debuts in Gainesville, Florida honors Wes Skiles
By Mina Radman North Florida Herald | 0 comments Lara Hickox Sanctum producer Andrew Wight stands in front of a mobile movie trailer at the premiere of the movie in Gainesville, Fla. Wednesday, Feb. 2. The movie was debuted in Florida in honor of the late Wes Skiles, an underwater cave diver who got caught in a cave along with Wight during a bad storm. The movie is loosely based on their experience. Scuba divers know the number one rule of the art: don’t hold your breath. But scuba diver Eileen Ahlquist, a Gainesville resident, had to remind herself to breathe while watching the preview screening for the new Universal Pictures film, Sanctum. “Since the film is in 3D, you feel like you’re there,” Ahlquist said. “I … Read entire article »
Filed under: Promotions, Report
South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council
January/February 2011 Public Hearing and Scoping Meeting Series The Council will hold a series of public hearings and scoping meetings regarding fisheries management measure proposed for several federally managed species, including those within the snapper grouper management complex, dolphin (fish), wahoo, golden crab and octocorals within the South Atlantic region. These measures will impact both commercial and recreational fishermen. Members of the public are invited to attend the meetings at any time between the hours of 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM to learn more about the proposed actions and provide formal comments to Council members in attendance (See schedule below). Written public comments will be accepted until February 14, 2011. Email addresses for individual amendments are included below. Hard copies may be mailed to the Council office using the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Boats, Featured, Fish, General Question, Open Water, Reefs, Reference, Report
ScubaExtreme 3rd Annual Rainbow and Crystal River trip 2011
Here are some pictures from our weekend trip. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Events, Featured, Manatee, Photography, Report, Travel, Trip Report
Right Whale found dead and on Crescent Beach
This is tragic. The Northern Right Whales are an endangered species. There are only 100’s known in existence today. Prior to the beginning of the 19 century they were in the thousands. North Atlantic populations have been decimated over-exploitation by the whaling industry. The species gets its names from early whalers, who considered them to be the “right” whales to hunt. Their slower pace, the fact that they come close to land, along with their tendency to float after being killed and the product exploit, their oil made them lucrative targets. Today, they are a protected and endangered species. During this time of year, the female Right Whale migrates south to breed. Following the eastern seaboard of the United States from the coastal waters off New England to south Florida, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Report
Right Whale Enters St. Johns River
On January 24, 2011 a Right Whale made a wrong turn and made it up the St. Johns River, entering at the mouth of the river located in Mayport Florida, just outside Jacksonville. For about 6 hours, officials stopped all inbound and outbound traffic on the St. Johns river and corralled the whale back towards the mouth of the river and back out to sea. I was privileged to be there to take some pictures of it as it was moving towards the exit. Here is the new article on that days event. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
