Nekton’s Rorqual and Pilot, former scuba lieaboards to become artificial reefs off Destin-Fort Walton Beach
Okaloosa County was approached in early April 2024 with the donation of two former scuba dive liveaboards, measuring 80ft and 75ft. The vessels, known as NEKTON PILOT and NEKTON RORQUAL, were built in 1992 and 2001 respectively. Read the article HERE … Read entire article »
Filed under: Article, Artificial Reefs, Boats, Conservation, Divetalking, Events, Featured, Publications, Report
Diadema Response Network: Concerns for Diadema – your help is needed
The Caribbean may be facing another widespread die-off of sea urchins. Diadema antillarum, also known as the long-spined sea urchin, is one of the most important herbivores on Caribbean coral reefs, removing algae and maintaining open space for coral growth. In mid-February 2022, we first learned of extensive.. click READ MORE reference: AGRRA … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Article, Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Events, extinction, Featured
SeaSide Chats
Seaside Chats provide an interested party to attend annual speaker series related to ocean topics related to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and the Gulf of Mexico. The presentations are on Wednesday evenings in February, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Central Time) Presentations are free and last for one hour. Speakers include sanctuary staff and guests from partner organizations.Anyone is welcome to attend, but presentation style is most suited to those in middle school and above. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Article, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, Flower Gardens, ocean, Reefs, Reference
DEMA 2020 in New Orleans Announcement
The DEMA Board of Directors has determined that, for the safety and financial well-being of DEMA Attendees and Exhibitors, DEMA Show 2020 will not take place this November in New Orleans. DEMA Show 2020 Exhibitors who have made a payment(s) toward their exhibit space can specify, by submitting the form below, which of the following options they would prefer in regards to these funds. The following options are for exhibitors who have already made payments towards … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Article, Convention, Events, Expo, Featured
WOW Tour Philippines 2019
It’s back by popular demand and better than ever. The World Of Wonder Tour Philippines 2019. There are so many sites we will be visiting. This is an active trip. Diving, sightseeing, cultural activities and more. Learn more by clicking on the image above. WOW … Read entire article »
Filed under: Article, Boats, Cameras, Diver, Divetalking, Drift, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Open Water, Philippines, Photography, Promotions, Reference, Sharks, Travel, Trip Invitations, Turtles, Whaleshark, Wrecks
WOW Tour Presents – Cozumel Mexico 2017
Only THREE spots remain. Space is limited. If you know anyone that may be interested, please share This year, the 15th year of traveling to Mexico, I have arranged an array of activities. Diving is the primary activity this trip. You arrive Cozumel December 16, 2017. You will be shuttled from the Cozumel Airport to arrive the condo no earlier than 3pm where you will begin to meet other guests as they arrive. That afternoon, evening, as a group is you choose, you may head to the local store to pickup any food supplies you require to make your week comfortable. That evening, the group may decide to go out to eat or remain at the condo. You are free to do what you desire. The next morning we are off to the marina … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Cavern, Divetalking, Education, Events, Featured, Lionfish, Lobster, ocean, Open Water, Photography, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Sharks, Spiny Lobster, Travel, Trip Invitations, Wrecks
Obama approves use of sonic cannons to explore for oil and gas off the Eastern Shore
The Obama administration has approved the use of sonic cannons to explore for oil and gas off the Eastern Shore. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Friday formally approved guidelines for using air cannons in the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Delaware. Energy companies could buy new oil and gas leases and begin drilling in 2018 if they find profitable reserves. The guidelines are meant to protect endangered whales and other creatures from the loud noises and increased vessel traffic, but the government’s environmental impact study estimates that more than 138,000 sea creatures could be harmed. The decision opens an area of the eastern seaboard larger than two Californias to exploration for the first time in decades. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Article, Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report
NE Florida’s 2nd Annual Lionfish Derby
Come on… You know you love to hate lionfish. To help the state control lionfish population, NE Florida is conducting its 2nd annual lionfish derby. Last years event handed out thousands of dollars in cash awards and more. Be part of this movement. Sign up and join us August 8 for the captains meeting and August 9th for the hunt and harvest. Proceeds benefit the DSAJ (Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville) and REEF as well as local … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Article, Artificial Reefs, Boats, Conservation, Contest, Diver, Divetalking, Donation, Earth, Events, extinction, Featured, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report
Lionfish workshops throughout the Southeast United States
Greetings Lionfish Enthusiasts! As part of our efforts to address the lionfish invasion to the western Atlantic, REEF received a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service Aquatic Invasive Species Program to organize and lead lionfish workshops throughout the Southeast United States. Workshop topics include background of the invasion, lionfish biology, ecological impacts, current research findings, market development, and ways to get involved, with an emphasis on safe collecting and handling tools and techniques. We have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Convention, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Expo, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training
New artificial reef dropped 15 miles off Marineland
By LORRAINE THOMPSON Special to The Record St. Augustine Beach resident Amy Kennedy spent more than a year planning her recent “cruises.” Kennedy, a project engineer for the Flagler County Engineering Department, spent two days on the Atlantic on commercial barges, where she oversaw the dumping of more than 800 tons of concrete at designated areas 15 miles offshore east of Marineland. Late Wednesday, the dumping site became the area’s newest artificial reef as the second and final load was dumped. The new Flagler reef coordinates are … Read the rest by clicking HERE … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Divetalking, Events, ocean, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report
NE Florida Lionfish Derby, 2013
[singlepic id=965 w=320 h=240 float=center] It was Friday August 23, 2013 and we met at Nippers for the required Captains Meeting. The room was filled with guest speakers and participants from all across Florida and part of Georgia. It would be the last opportunity to signup and participate in the Derby with awards as high as $1500.00 going to the team with the most lionfish. During the evening, speakers Walt Quinn (2013 Derby Director and proprietor), … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Boats, Contest, Diver, Divetalking, Donation, Earth, Education, Events, extinction, Featured, Fish, Games, Grouper, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Promotions, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2013 Lionfish Summit
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announces the FREE 2013 Lionfish Summit. [singlepic id=949 w=320 h=240 float=center link=https://fwclionfish.eventbrite.com/] Click on the logo to register and for more information Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 1:30 PM – Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 12:30 PM (EDT) Cocoa Beach, FL … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Summit
Jacksonvilles Newest Artificial Reef placed August 2, 2013
On Friday August 2, 2013 A new Artificial Reef was placed in 73 feet of water off Ponte Vedra Florida. Ponte Vedra is approximately 20 miles south of the jetties in Mayport, where the mouth of the St. Johns River meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Reef makes up the third artifical reef in the area creating a triangle of reefs coined "The Triad." The name of this specific reef is Fred Morrow reef and is with recreational limits for divers. Watch a small clip of that days event, below … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Divetalking, Earth, Events, Featured, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report
NE Florida’s Newest Artificial Reef
The day began at 3AM for the crew of Anger Management, Salonen Marine’s tug. Leaving from Moody’s shipyard Jacksonville Florida, their destination was the NE Corner of a permitted area known as Floyd’s Folly. Floyd’s Folly sits about 20nm SE of Jacksonville’s jetties (The mouth of the St. Johns river) and 12 miles from the shore of Ponte Vedra. The tug is pushing a barge with approximately 800+ tons of concrete culverts, and pilings which will be used for NE Florida’s newest artificial reef. The new reef will join two others in the near vicinity placed in 2009 and 2011 respectively creating a triangle of artificial reefs, convenient in location to divers, fishermen and fisherwomen. We are calling the area of the three reefs, “The Triad.” The Action News 30 film crew, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Boats, Divetalking, Dolphin, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Photography, Preservation, Promotions, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report, Video, Volunteer, Wrecks