Florida Budget Woes Mean Environmental Cuts
Florida’s Legislature wraps up its annual budget session this week. Like other states with tight budgets, Florida is setting new spending priorities. Environmental protection is one area that’s seeing big cuts. Tough Choices Driving west from Miami through the Everglades on Highway 41 — the Tamiami Trail — you can see federal dollars at work. Dan Kimball, superintendent of Everglades National Park, says he’s excited about an $81 million project that will raise the road. For decades, it’s acted like a dam, keeping water from flowing south through the Everglades. Despite progress on the project, a new threat has emerged to Everglades restoration. It can be found 500 miles away in Tallahassee, where Florida’s governor and Legislature are grappling with a $4 billion budget shortfall. As Gov. Rick Scott says, the shortfall is forcing … Read entire article »
REEF – Making it count – March 2011
Making It Count – March 2011 Putting It to Work: Who’s Using REEF Data, March 2011 By Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Director of Science Every month, scientists, government agencies, and other groups request raw data from REEF’s Fish Survey Project database. Here is a sampling of who has asked for REEF data recently and what they are using it for: – An educator and researcher from the University of Connecticut is using data as part of a field science class. His students will use the data to evaluate fish populations in advance of their field coursework. – A postdoc from the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce is using data from Stetson Bank in the Gulf of Mexico (part of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary) to evaluate changes … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Fish, Grouper, Manatee, Manta Rays, Open Water, Reefs, Reference, Report
Lionfish and Whaleshark Expeditions September 3-10, 2011
September 3 – 10, 2011 I will be visiting Cozumel to create a documentary on the subject of Lionfish. Lionfish I am opening the Lionfish expedition up to individuals who have a need to experience Lionfish handling and would like to experience the consumption of any lionfish caught the day of your expedition. Your time will begin with about a 1 hour introduction to the nature of Lionfish, where they are from, what they mean to the local environment, techniques for safely handling. We will then proceed to the boat, heading to locations to begin the hunt for the lionfish. The days diving ends with the proper handing to clean and prepare the lionfish caught that day for consumption. Yes, you will be eating any lionfish caught that day. A lionfish cookbook … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Artificial Reefs, Boats, Cavern, Divemaster, Diver, Drift, Events, Featured, Fish, Instructor, Master Diver, Open Water, Photography, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Sharks, Specialties, Training, Travel, Trip Invitations, Videography, Whaleshark, Wrecks
ScubaExreme is Moving to a New Location
Out with the old and in with the new. ScubaExtreme is moving to a new and larger location off Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville Florida. [singlepic id=126 w=640 h=480 float=] Admin … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Boats, Cave, Cavern, Divemaster, Diver, Drift, Emergency/FirstAid, Events, Featured, Instructor, Open Water, Photography, Reefs, Reference, Report, Rescue Diver, Specialties, Training, Travel, Wrecks
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 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
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
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
TUFF-E-NUFF Almost Realtime updates – STOPPED. Placed 01/17/2011@16:52EST
TUFF-E-NUFF has left port this morning around 6am EST on her way to her new duty station. Sea conditions were as predicted, and are getting rougher. I have received a number of calls from the guys hitching a ride on TUFF-E-NUFF and the ride is making them nervous. Sea and wind conditions are picking up and a storm is on the horizon. TODAY SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTH 15 KNOTS LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 3 TO 4 FEET WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD 9 SECONDS. A MODERATE CHOP ON THE INTRACOASTAL WATERS. SHOWERS AND CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. TUFF-E-NUFF is being pulled to the site and they have a good couple of hours of travel time remaining, if they do not abort due to bad sea conditions. The site is located at 27 12.6 – … Read entire article »
Filed under: Boats, Events, Reefs, Reference, Report, Wrecks
TUFF-E-NUFF to be placed this Sunday January 16, 2011
SUNDAY NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. Right now it looks like an early morning departure, perhaps 4-5am EST from Harbor Branch Sunday January 16, 2011. The local and time are not official at the time of this post, just what has been discussed to date. If you or someone you know has a boat and would like to watch and film this event, feel free to contact me for up to date information at CONTACT LARRY. You can get location and time of departure. Sea conditions as of Thursday Jan 13, 2011 18:40pm EST SATURDAY NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 4 FEET. A LIGHT CHOP ON THE INTRACOASTAL WATERS. SATURDAY NIGHT NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 4 FEET. MOSTLY SMOOTH ON THE INTRACOASTAL WATERS. SUNDAY NORTHEAST WINDS 5 … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Boats, Events, Photography, Reefs, Reference, Report, Video, Wrecks
Divers Direct Sponsors Multi-Location Reef and Beach Cleanup
DANIA BEACH, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Divers Direct, the world’s largest retailer of scuba diving equipment, is proud to host its first annual “Scrub & Grub” reef and beach cleanup to benefit multiple locations throughout the state of Florida on Saturday, January 29, 2011. Each of the 5 Divers Direct Florida Dive Shops in Orlando, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Key Largo and Key West will spearhead its own cleanup of a local beach, coral reef, or both. The cleanup will be followed by a celebration at each location with food and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Artificial Reefs, Boats, Events, Open Water, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report
TUFF-E-NUFF no longer in the St. Marys River, GA.
Today Saturday January 8, 2011, I, Larry Davis, Joe Kistel, and Ed Kalakauskis boarded TUFF-E-NUFF at 08:12 EST. While Joe and Ed prepared the pumps to remove any residual water, I took picutres and video. At 09:20 we are informed by David with the Marinia that he see’s Dawn Star, the Tug coming to tow TUFF-E-NUFF towards St. Lucie, FL. and Dawn Star ia about 20 minutes away. Well guess what, Ed and Joe jump on our boat and hustle to shore to get the something like 300lb anchor and bring it back before the tug arrives. Guess what? I pop out of the galley on the starboard side and look forward to see this red and white tug staring at me. WOW! kewl!!. I move aft where my camera is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Boats, Events, Photography, Reefs, Reference, Report, Videography, Wrecks