Blue Fin Tuna
[singlepic id=917 w=320 h=240 float=center] TOKYO (AP) — It is the king of sushi, one of the most expensive fish in the world — and dwindling so rapidly that some fear it could vanish from restaurant menus within a generation. Japanese Chefs Remain Calm Over Dwindling Tuna Supply With the recent $1.76 million sale of a single bluefin tuna in Tokyo, bluefin tuna – the poster child for sustainable seafood – is front page news again. These apex predators fetch such high prices because their populations are too low to support the demand, primarily fueled by the sushi market. Sustainable Alternatives To Bluefin Tuna Bluefin tuna just can’t catch a break. Weeks after it was reported that overfishing had reduced the Pacific population of the fish, which is popular in sushi bars, by over 96 … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Fish, ocean, Preservation, Reference, Tuna
FWC commission trying to pass legislative to close fishery…
Tomorrow is a big day for fishermen who like to eat what they catch. At stake The FWC commission is trying to pass legislative to create a mechanism that grants them the ability to close a fishery to harvest not just for biological reasons but for “marketing purposes”, “tourism strategy” and in effect any personal or political reasons without any scientific justification or checks on their actions. That’s right, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Bonefish Tarpon Trust and other special interest groups are trying to push an agenda to classify fish such as Permit and Cobia as Gamefish or Sportfish. Doing so would eliminate harvest for food and turning the fishery in to catch and release only and thus illegal to harvest by spear. Cobia and Permit are great table fair food fish and neither are in jeopardy of over fishing or … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, extinction, Featured, Fish, ocean, Reefs, Reference, Report
Northeast Florida Lionfish Blast Tournament 2013
TISIRI is at it again! Leading the Northeast Florida Lionfish Blast Tournament coming this March, through April 2013 to NE Florida. The invasive lionfish epidemic in the western Atlantic is an ever growing problem. Northeast Florida is no exception, and if you follow our efforts at TISIRI you know we routinely attempt to harvest lionfish from our local reefs. Unfortunately, lionfish populations are so prolific more effort is needed in hope to have an effect on the detriment the species is causing. In an effort to encourage as much manpower as possible to harvest lionfish, a tournament awarding attractive prizes will be held throughout the month of April 2013. The event is called the Northeast Florida Lionfish Blast and is open to lionfish hunters offshore the coast of Jacksonville and St. Augustine. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Contest, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training
Save Manta Rays – Sign the Petition – Make 2013 The beginning to the end
[singlepic id=838 w=320 h=240 float=center] [singlepic id=836 w=320 h=240 float=center] Save Manta Rays World Leaders making 2013 the year for Manta Rays??? Posted by Greg Heighes (cause leader) Tell your friends about this Share this Note [singlepic id=837 w=320 h=240 float=center] Sir Richard Branson, Her Deepness Sylvia Earle and the Ocean Elders have joined the crusade to protect manta rays in 2013. The OceanElders are trying to get every country in the world to ban the wholesale slaughter of giant manta rays. Richard Branson does “The Manta” On Richard Branson’s personal blog, he explains that in 2013, “our attention will focus on the way we are destroying the ocean”. This is an important year for manta rays. Later this year countries around the world will vote whether to list mantas on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. This will be an … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Donation, Earth, Education, Events, extinction, Featured, Fish, Manta Rays, ocean, Preservation, Promotions, Rescue, Training
Reef Cleanup January 12, 2013 off Jacksonville Florida
Reef Cleanup January 12, 2013 off Jacksonville Florida Here is another rendition of the site. TISIRI … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Events, Featured, Fish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report, Video
Killer whales trapped in Quebec sea ice
[singlepic id=834 w=320 h=240 float=center] MONTREAL (AP) — A community in Quebec’s Far North is calling for outside help to free about a dozen killer whales trapped under a vast stretch of sea ice. Locals in Inukjuak said Read and see more at the following link... Associated Press … Read entire article »
Filed under: Dolphin, Earth, Education, Events, extinction, Featured, Fish, Killer Whale, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Reference, Report
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, FWC – Lionfish
[singlepic id=819 w=320 h=240 float=left] [singlepic id=820 w=320 h=240 float=left] [singlepic id=821 w=320 h=240 float=left] [singlepic id=822 w=320 h=240 float=left] Above are pages from a recently published pamphlet by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, FWC. Stop by your local dive shop to pick up your copy. FWC References: Lionfish – Pterois volitans News Releases Lionfish (Pterois volitans, Pterois miles) Frequently Asked Questions Harvesting and Reporting Lionfish … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, Volunteer
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
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
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
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