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Explosive Fed. Mandate Killing Thousands of Red Snapper

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) A federal mandate to remove old, abandoned oil and gas rigs in the Gulf of Mexico is blowing up a lot more than just the rigs. Undercover video obtained by Local 15 shows thousands of pounds of dead fish, mostly red snapper, floating to the surface after one of the controversial demolitions in the Gulf. “Good Lord,” marine scientist Dr. Bob Shipp said, when Local 15 showed him the video. “As a scientist, I think it’s abominable.” Shipp said the demolitions are frequent, sometimes three a week in the Gulf, but are seldom video-taped. Shipp also sits on the Gulf Fisheries Management Council, and has been a strong opponent of the demolitions. “It’s a double whammy,” Shipp said, “Not only are we killing a lot of snapper, but we’re also destroying … Read entire article »

Filed under: Alert, Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Grouper, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report, Stories

Product recall: High-pressure scuba diving air hoses

HIGH-PRESSURE SCUBA DIVING AIR HOSES DETAILS: High-pressure scuba diving air hoses manufactured in Taiwan and imported by A-Plus Marine Supply Inc. of Gulf Breeze, Fla. The hoses were sold at scuba diving retailers nationwide from April 2012 through June 2012 for about $34. They have a black, smooth rubber outer covering and are about 32 to 36 inches long. WHY: The hose, which connects the regulator to the tank’s pressure gauge, can separate, reducing the available air supply to the diver and posing a drowning hazard. INCIDENTS: Three reports of hoses separating, but no injuries have been reported. HOW MANY: About 40. FOR MORE: Contact A-Plus Marine by telephone at 800-352-2360, from noon to 8 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or visit online at http://www.aplusmarine.com and click the recall notice on High Pressure Braided Hose … Read entire article »

Filed under: Alert, Divetalking, Products, Recall

Florida Fish and Wildlife Seeks Public’s Help with Lionfish Invasion

Florida’s lionfish invasion has become so dire that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have changed some fishing rules to allow for more people to start catching the pests in order to save their reefs. Lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific, are indiscriminate predators, with virtually no natural predators of their own in these foreign waters. They gobble up literally anything and everything, including juvenile species who haven’t yet had a chance to spawn. Reports of reefs devoid of any fish save for lionfish are increasing, which opens up the lionfishing arena to just about anyone who can handle a spear. The changed rules are effective through August 2013, and are as follows: A recreational fishing license is not required when using a Hawaiian sling, pole spear, handheld net, or any … Read entire article »

Filed under: Alert, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report

Baby Red Crabs Invade Cayman Islands

  Baby red crabs have infested the Cayman Islands by the hundreds of thousands, in an unusually heavy migration season that has caused havoc. It is likely that the recent “supermoon” and low tides have made it easier for the baby crabs, which are smaller than a thumbnail, to reach land, which could help explain the increase this year. Hundreds of thousands of red baby crabs are invading the Cayman Islands in a seasonal migration that residents say is unusually heavy this year. The crabs are blanketing roads, scurrying across yards and scratching their way up homes and buildings in a process that scientists say will last about a month.“People living in the coast will have them everywhere,” said Tim Austin, deputy director of the Cayman Islands’ Environment Department, on Wednesday. “They get … Read entire article »

Filed under: Alert, Conservation, ocean, Open Water, Reefs, Reference, Report

US tiger shrimp sightings worry scientists

US tiger shrimp sightings worry scientists

By JANET McCONNAUGHEY | Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A big increase in reports of Asian tiger shrimp along the U.S. Southeast coast and in the Gulf of Mexico has federal biologists worried the species is encroaching on native species’ territory. The black-and-white-striped shrimp can grow 13 inches long and weigh a quarter-pound, compared to eight inches and a bit over an ounce for domestic white, brown and pink shrimp. Scientists fear the tigers will bring … Read entire article »

Filed under: Alert, Conservation, Fish, ocean, Reefs, Reference, Report, Shrimp, Stories

Stop the sale of Shark in a bottle

Stop the sale of Shark in a bottle

It has just come to our attention, sharks are being sold in a bottle. This is not a new thing from what we are finding. Yet today, after growing in knowledge and understanding of the need to protect what we humans feel we may neglect, it is imperative that we voice our objection to the commercialization and industrialization through proliferation of a species to its extinction. Here is one example:   eBay Please do not let this happen, ANYWHERE. Contact … Read entire article »

Filed under: Alert, Earth, Featured, Fish, Indonesia, ocean, Reefs, Report, Rescue, Sharks

ALERT: RECALL of MiFLEX HP Hoses

ALERT: RECALL of MiFLEX HP Hoses

Please click on the SAFETY RECALL box, just above to be re-directed to the Official Recall page. There you will find current postings, forms, and important instructions. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Alert, Emergency/FirstAid, Featured, Products, Recall, Reference, Report

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