FWC commission trying to pass legislative to close fishery…
Tomorrow is a big day for fishermen who like to eat what they catch. At stake The FWC commission is trying to pass legislative to create a mechanism that grants them the ability to close a fishery to harvest not just for biological reasons but for “marketing purposes”, “tourism strategy” and in effect any personal or political reasons without any scientific justification or checks on their actions. That’s right, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Bonefish Tarpon Trust and other special interest groups are trying to push an agenda to classify fish such as Permit and Cobia as Gamefish or Sportfish. Doing so would eliminate harvest for food and turning the fishery in to catch and release only and thus illegal to harvest by spear. Cobia and Permit are great table fair food fish and neither are in jeopardy of over fishing or … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, extinction, Featured, Fish, ocean, Reefs, Reference, Report
Registration Now Open for 2013 NW Florida Artificial Reef Workshop February 19 – 20, 2013 in Niceville, Florida
An exciting new event is coming to our area. Northwest Florida’s first Artificial Reef Workshop since 2006 will be held February 19 – 20, 2013 at the Niceville Community Center. The community center is centrally located in the Panhandle and located at 204 N Partin Dr, Niceville, FL 32578. Sessions and guest speakers will provide the latest information regarding Reef Designs, Artificial Reefs and Fisheries Management, Monitoring Tools, Artificial Reef Construction Issues in Inshore and Nearshore State Waters, The Economic Benefits and Impacts of Artificial Reefs in NW Florida, and other artificial reef topics of local interest. The evening of February 19th there will be an Evening Expo. At this Expo booths and information will be provided by the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association, Emerald Coast Reef Association, Florida Sea Grant, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Convention, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Summit
Dive and Travel Expo – Tacoma and Santa Clara
Tacoma Attendees The Northwest Dive & Travel Expo 2013 will take place this year at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center April 20 & 21 2013 and this year the expo is offering visitors more information, more dive industry connections and more fun! Santa Clara Attendees The Northern California Dive & Travel Expo 2013 will take place this year at the Santa Clara Convention Center May 4 & 5, 2013. With the first year gone, and a resounding success, we are looking forward to the second year of this unique show … Read entire article »
Filed under: Convention, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Summit, Training
Beneath the Sea March 22nd – 24th, 2013
Show Dates Are March 22nd – 24th, 2013 Breaking News 2013 EZine Online Exhibitors Decorators Kit Order Exhibitor Badges Jorge Beale Hyperbaric Medical Scholarship – Deadline March 1, 2013 BTS 2013 Promotional Video Public Safety Diver Marine Careers – Register Today Marine Careers Program Flyer Purchase 2013 Advanced Discounted Tickets by March 8th and Save! 2013 Exhibitors Brochure 2013 Hotel, Air & Auto Information … Read entire article »
Filed under: Convention, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Summit, Training
Northeast Florida Lionfish Blast Tournament 2013
TISIRI is at it again! Leading the Northeast Florida Lionfish Blast Tournament coming this March, through April 2013 to NE Florida. The invasive lionfish epidemic in the western Atlantic is an ever growing problem. Northeast Florida is no exception, and if you follow our efforts at TISIRI you know we routinely attempt to harvest lionfish from our local reefs. Unfortunately, lionfish populations are so prolific more effort is needed in hope to have an effect on the detriment the species is causing. In an effort to encourage as much manpower as possible to harvest lionfish, a tournament awarding attractive prizes will be held throughout the month of April 2013. The event is called the Northeast Florida Lionfish Blast and is open to lionfish hunters offshore the coast of Jacksonville and St. Augustine. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Contest, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training
Dubai’s first underwater hotel
Dubai is no stranger to breaking records. First, they built the world’s largest mall, then they built the world’s tallest building… And now, if plans come to fruition, the emirate could become home to the world’s largest underwater hotel. [singlepic id=839 w=320 h=240 float=center] The Water Discus hotel has been designed by Polish company Deep Ocean Technology (DOT) with the help of Swiss firm BIG InvestConsult AG. The hotel will comprise of two discs – one under the water, and one suspended above the water. The discs will be connected by five legs, and a vertical shaft in the centre housing stairs and a lift. [singlepic id=847 w=320 h=240 float=left][singlepic id=846 w=320 h=240 float=center] The underwater section will be up to 10 metres beneath the sea surface, and contain 21 double rooms adjacent to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, ocean, Reefs, Reference, Report
Reef Cleanup January 12, 2013 off Jacksonville Florida
Reef Cleanup January 12, 2013 off Jacksonville Florida Here is another rendition of the site. TISIRI … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Events, Featured, Fish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report, Video
Come learn about marine research from the scientists themselves
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Training
Those Darn Damsels! Top 12 Damselfish of the Greater Caribbean
Some call them webinars. We call ’em Fishinars! Fishie fun in the comfort of your own home. Great for first-timers or those wanting a review. These short, free webinars will teach you the finer points of identifying fish and invertebrates underwater. We use common names, not scientific names, and focus on how to ID each critter. Fishinars help divers learn how to become citizen scientists and help monitor marine life on their recreational dives. Data gathered goes into REEF’s online database to help students, researchers, scientists, etc. Fishinars are open to divers, snorkelers, and devout landlubbers alike. Anyone wanting to know more about our local underwater residents is welcome to join in. You don’t need a microphone or a webcam to be able to participate iPad, iPhone and iPod users – there is a free Citrix … Read entire article »
Filed under: Diver, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, Reefs
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, FWC – Lionfish
[singlepic id=819 w=320 h=240 float=left] [singlepic id=820 w=320 h=240 float=left] [singlepic id=821 w=320 h=240 float=left] [singlepic id=822 w=320 h=240 float=left] Above are pages from a recently published pamphlet by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, FWC. Stop by your local dive shop to pick up your copy. FWC References: Lionfish – Pterois volitans News Releases Lionfish (Pterois volitans, Pterois miles) Frequently Asked Questions Harvesting and Reporting Lionfish … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, Volunteer
Debris from state project could be answer for City’s proposed reef in river
10/04/2012 by Max Marbut, Staff Writer A $50,000 project that’s $45,000 short of being funded could be a beneficiary of the Florida Department of Transportation’s Overland Bridge Project. A proposed inland artificial reef in the St. Johns River near San Marco was on the Jacksonville Waterways Commission Artificial Reef Subcommittee’s agenda Wednesday at City Hall. The reef is proposed to be constructed in 16 feet of water west of Jim Rink Park and south of the Fuller Warren Bridge. City Planner Jody McDaniel said the process of obtaining permits to construct the artificial reef is proceeding with state and federal agencies. She said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have requested additional information. “They have 10 concerns,” including mapping the proposed site, details on how the reef will be deployed … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Donation, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report
Recreational Use of Artificial Reefs Contributes $253 Million to Six Florida Counties
By: Michelle Klug Many Floridians and visiting tourists enjoy the crystal blue waters that provide sunny days of fishing, diving and leisure time. Researchers have found that popular boating destinations are the artificial reefs that have been built around Florida. Artificial reefs attract locals and tourists alike, pulling in $253 million to six Florida counties in one year, as well as providing habitat for sealife. These infrastructures are built using man-made materials such as concrete blocks, tires, PVC piping, old sunken ships or sunken oil rigs. They provide a habitat for an array of algae, coral, fish and shellfish, as well as preventing erosion. IFAS researcher Bob Swett and his team investigated the economic impact artificial reefs provide, as well as who is using the reefs and what components are generating economic profit … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Grouper, Lionfish, Manatee, ocean, Open Water, Photography, Preservation, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, Wrecks