NE Florida Survey -Recreational Boating
Natural Resources and Environment is asking you to participate in a boating study to characterize recreational boating patterns in the near- and off-shore waters of Northeast Florida. A goal of the study is to ensure that decisions about the siting of boating infrastructure and resource protection, including right whales, are based on information that includes input from the boating community. Please help in this effort by completing our questionnaire. Florida Sea Grant has worked with coastal communities throughout the state to enhance boating infrastructure, improve navigation access to local waterways, and preserve working waterfronts. If you would like to receive a survey or you have any questions about the study you may contact the project’s principal investigator, Dr. Bob Swett, (352) 392-6234, or by email fas-boat@ifas.ufl.edu. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Boats, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, ocean, Promotions, Reference, Report
Submit to the National Geographic Photo Contest
National Geographic Photo Contest As a leader in capturing our world through brilliant imagery, National Geographic sets the standard for photographic excellence. Last year, we received more than 20,000 entries from over 130 countries, with professional and amateur photographers across the globe participating. Well, it’s that time of year again—enter today! Send us your best shots in any of these three categories: people, places, and nature. Please submit images that accurately reflect the captured moment in time. In other words, keep it real. The Grand Prize Winner will receive $10,000 and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., Read more by clicking here … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contest, Education, Events, Featured, Photography, Promotions, Reference, Report, Travel
DAN provides dive leaders with FREE DIDS boards to enhance dive safety!
Simple, yet incredibly effective, the DIDs system — in combination with roll call — ensures no diver is left behind. Available in two colors accommodating up to 12 divers each, DIDs boards are funded by donations and free to DAN Members. DIDs boards will be available at the DAN booth #3245 at DEMA, or you can request one online today. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Boats, Divemaster, Diver, Divetalking, Education, Emergency/FirstAid, Featured, ocean, Open Water, Products, Promotions, Reference, Report, Uncategorized
Reminder: Lionfish Derby Palm Beach Shores, Florida
Lionfish Derby: A Lionfish Derby is Aug. 18 out of Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach Shores. Teams of up to four people collect lionfish while scuba diving or free diving. Entry fee is $150 per team and more than $3,000 in cash prizes will be awarded for the most, biggest and smallest lionfish. The captains meeting is 6:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at Sailfish Marina. To register, visit REEF.org/lionfish/derbies or call 305-852-0030. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Contest, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Travel
Important ** Please Read ** The Cove
The Cove Click HERE to watch Sign the Petition. Spread the Word. We are just shy of our petition goal! Once we hit half a million signatures, we will take our petition to President Obama, Vice President Biden, the Japanese Ambassador to the U.S., the Prime Minister and Minister of Health in Japan. The more people who sign, the more impact we’ll have. Sign the petition below and encourage your friends to take part. The Cove: Sign the Petition Help Save Japan’s Dolphins … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Dolphin, Donation, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Preservation, Reference, Report, Rescue
Divers targeting lionfish on Florida reefs
It’s open season on invasive lionfish on the reefs of Florida and the Bahamas. By SUSAN COCKING scocking@miamiherald.com On her first-ever scuba diving adventure on the colorful coral reefs and blue holes south of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, underwater photographer Maggie Martorell of Hollywood immediately noticed something was missing. “Where are all the little tropical fish?” Martorell wanted to know. The reef looked healthy; stands of mountainous star coral jutted up from the ocean floor, interspersed with tangled branches of staghorn. Soft corals, such as sea whips and sea fans, undulated with the gentle current. A few groupers swam around the entrance to a marine cave that descended into darkness in the middle of the reef tract. But Martorell was alarmed by what she didn’t see — convict-striped sergeant majors busily patrolling the reef to protect … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Divetalking, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Reefs, Reference, Report
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
Ocean Film Festival – September, 2012
HOME | SEPT 20 | SEPT 21 | SEPT 22 | SEPT 23 | EXHIBITS Thursday, September 20, 6:30 pm Opening Night, at the Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center 207 W. York Street, Savannah, GA Friday and Saturday September 21 – 22 SCAD’S Trustees Theater 216 E. Broughton Street, Savannah, GA Sunday September 23 SCAD’S Museum of Art 601 Turner Blvd., Savannah, GA ALL FILMS, LECTURES, PANNELS AND TALKS IN THE GRAY’S REEF OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL ARE FREE. THERE IS AN ADMISSION CHARGE FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT AT THE JEPSON. FILMS AT THE JEPSON ARE FREE. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Open Water, Photography, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Training, Travel, Videography
Reef Environmental Education Foundation
We are approaching the end of our Summer Fundraising Campaign and we are very close to reaching our goal of raising $60,000 in 60 days. We greatly appreciate the support that so many of you have given. If you haven’t yet donated, we hope you will make a donation to help push us over the edge. Every donation received will be doubled because of generous support from the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, and your donation will make the difference in REEF reaching our fundraising goal! You can donate securely online at www.REEF.org/contribute, mail your donation to REEF at PO Box 246, Key Largo, FL 33037, or call us at 305-852-0030. Your donation is vital, as REEF relies on individual contributions to fund our marine conservation efforts. Our programs not only educate the public about the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Divetalking, Education, Featured, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Volunteer
Artificial reef being built in Riviera Beach a real treasure for divers
By Hana Engroff Palm Beach Post Staff Writer RIVIERA BEACH — Divers and snorkelers will soon have another sanctuary where they can spot South Florida sea creatures – an artificial reef stretched across 2 acres near Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach. The reef, mostly made of limestone boulders, will be in 6 to 12 feet of water in the no-boat area just south of the park’s beach under the Blue Heron Bridge. Sandwiched between the beach’s swimming and boating areas, it will provide a refuge not only for divers and snorkelers but also for marine life, Palm Beach County project coordinator Harvey Rudolph said. Seahorses, octopuses, manatees, turtles, a variety of fish and other sea critters have been spotted in the Lake Worth Lagoon water. “You can see stuff here that you normally can’t see … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Diver, Divetalking, Donation, Earth, Education, Events, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Promotions, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Volunteer
WORLD SHOOTOUT 2012
During all of August! Cash and prestigious prizes, 8 creative categories and complete freedom to choose your own diving destination! Important Note: Prior to taking images you plan to submit to the World ShootOut, it is important that you set the date of the camera to the year 2015. For example, if you head out underwater on August 1st, the date on the camera should be set to 01/08/2015. This year, the competition consists of two main sections: Real-Time ShootOut – A global real-time underwater photo shoot out, which takes place during the whole month of August. Enjoy complete freedom of choosing your own dive destination anywhere around the world this August and submit your best images to the 5 Real-Time ShootOut categories. Images of the World – You can stay at home and still take … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contest, Diver, Divetalking, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Photography, Promotions, Reefs, Videography
Fishinar
Tune in to the next Fishinar presented by Blenny-lover and REEF Board Member, Anna DeLoach. Anna is a renowned videographer and naturalist with a soft spot for the members of the adorable Blenny family. The Fishinar starts at 8:00pm EDT (7/31/2012) and can be watched for FREE from the comfort of your home. You won’t want to miss out on this one!! For more information and to register go to REEF’s Fishinar Page at http://www.reef.org/resources/webinars … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, Fish, Instructor, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Training
Reef Environmental Education Foundation
With 2 weeks to go, we are two-thirds of the way toward reaching our goal of raising $60,000 in 60 days. Every dollar you donate will be doubled, and every donation makes a difference! Please help by donating through our secure website at www.REEF.org/contribute, mailing your donation to REEF at PO Box 246 – Key Largo, FL 33037, or calling us at 305-852-0030. Double your donation and ensure REEF’s marine conservation programs can continue. Every gift matters, regardless of the size! Thank you to each of you who donated so far to our summer matching campaign, and thanks to the generosity of the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation for matching your contributions! With donations from our members, we can continue to support programs that foundation and government funding no longer cover. Staff salaries and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Education, Events, ocean, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, Travel, Volunteer
Widow Blames Scuba Gear for Death of National Geographic Filmmaker Wes Skiles
Widow Blames Scuba Gear for Death of National Geographic Filmmaker Wes Skiles By MARIMER MATOS WEST PALM BEACH (CN) – Well-known National Geographic filmmaker Wesley Skiles drowned while shooting underwater because his Dive Rite scuba gear malfunctioned, his widow claims in Palm Beach County Court. Terri Skiles claims that Dive Rite knew its oxygen monitoring system had a propensity to malfunction because it had been recalled multiple times, but Dive Rite ignored “serious quality control issues” and tampered with the scuba equipment evidence after the fatality. Terri Skiles sued Lamartek Inc. dba Dive Rite; Dive Gear Express LLC fka Dive Rite Express; Fill Express LLC aka Dive Rite Express; Mark E. Derrick; Juergensen Marine Inc. and Analytical Industries Inc. She alleges negligence, strict liability, breach of warranty, conspiracy to spoliate evidence, and civil conspiracy. Terri Skiles … Read entire article »
Filed under: Computers, Diver, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Open Water, Optima, Rebreather, Rebreathers, Recall, Reference, Report
Top Marine Scientists Warn Reefs in Rapid Decline
By Agence France-Presse 11 July 12 More than 2,600 of the world’s top marine scientists Monday warned coral reefs around the world were in rapid decline and urged immediate global action on climate change to save what remains. The consensus statement at the International Coral Reef Symposium, being held in the northeastern Australian city of Cairns, stressed that the livelihoods of millions of people were at risk. Coral reefs provide food and work for countless coastal inhabitants globally, generate significant revenues through tourism and function as a natural breakwater for waves and storms, they said. The statement, endorsed by the forum attendees and other marine scientists, called for measures to head off escalating damage caused by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, overfishing and pollution from the land. “There is a window of opportunity for the world … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report