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
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
Atomic Aquatics Recalls Cobalt Dive Computer Due to Impact and Drowning Hazard
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2012 –/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the followingconsumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Name of product: Cobalt Dive Computer Units: About 4,000 in the U.S.; 200 in CanadaManufacturer: Atomic Aquatics, of Huntington Beach, Calif. Hazard: The unit can leak and cause the lens of the computer to blow off suddenly, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Computers, Featured, Products, Recall, 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
Aquatica Housing for Canon 5D Mark II
Used but well maintained Aquatica housing for the Canon 5D Mark II If you use Aquatica, you know it’s good. If you haven’t you’ll learn it’s good. I no longer have a need to the housing. It is about 1 year old. The o-ring and anodes will be replaced for you. If you are just getting into underwater photography and filming I offer you the opportunity receive both digital UW Photography and UW Videography certifications. I will spend time showing you the ropes on first, photography, understanding the Canon 5D Mark II, use of various lenses and what they can do. Why shoot with wide vs. macro, etc. We will then perform a number of dives using the housing with your camera teaching you the mechanics of the housing and its interfaces to your … Read entire article »
Filed under: Divetalking, Featured, Photography, Products, Videography
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
Lionfish Derby Aug. 18 out of Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach Shores
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: Artificial Reefs, Contest, Divetalking, Earth, Events, Featured, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Travel
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
Open Water Fan Sends Photos with Divetalking Logo
Today, Divetalking received the following pictures from an Open Water fan of Divetalking. Here is a picture of our logo pasted on the back window of his truck! Thanks Mac for sending in the pictures… … Read entire article »
Filed under: Badge, Diver, Divetalking, Featured, Logo, Open Water, Photography, Products, Promotions, Reference, Report, Training
Aditech unveils MVH-FS100 housing for the Sony NEX-F100 camcorder
[singlepic id=797 w=320 h=240 float=none] Aditech recently unveiled the Mangrove housing for the Sony NEX-F100 camcorder. The MVHS-FS100 features a new scontrol system that uses the camera’s LANC control and gives access to 32 camera functions, including manual white balance. The controls are all accessed via 12 external push buttons and give user feedback via the camera’s touch screen. Also featured is a 3.5″ rear mounted monitor. Retail price: €2,538.14 and is depth-rated to 200m/660 feet. [singlepic id=798 w=320 h=240 float=none] New MANGROVE housing for SONY NEX-FS100. 29/07/2012. Aditech is proud to announce the lunching of the new Mangrove housing MVHS-FS100 for the Sony camcorder NEX-FS100. The housing’s front case is constructed from marine grade aluminium, machined, anodized and the rear case is machined from solid Delrin, it features a state of the art LANC … Read entire article »
Filed under: Divetalking, Featured, Photography, Products, Promotions, Reference, Video Equipment, Videography
Divetalking seeking Editors Worldwide
Have you ever thought about writing and editing? Are you looking for a position that will allow you to control what is posted on a renowned Internet site devoted to marine awareness and all things related to it? Divetalking is looking for talented individuals that can devote a few hours a day to post interesting articles on such subjects as diving, photography, travel, news, events and more. All that is needed are a love for the ocean and all things living in it, our environment, diving, photography, a skill for locating, capturing and editing news and events to post on Divetalking.com If you feel this is something you would be interested in experiencing and can devote a few hours a day to, then this could be the rewarding and educational experience you … Read entire article »
Filed under: Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Events, Featured, Fish, ocean, Photography, Products, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, Volunteer