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Marine conservation with interactive games

Marine conservation with interactive games

Click on Image As students return to the classroom for the new school year, educators and parents can encourage continued learning with Gone Fishin’ games. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with … … Read entire article »

Filed under: Aqualung, Artificial Reefs, Boats, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, Games, Grouper, Lionfish, Lobster, Manatee, ocean, Reefs, Reference, Training, Wrecks

Invasion of the lionfish – From Reef to Table

Invasion of the lionfish – From Reef to Table

There is a species invading the Eastern United States seaboard, the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, Central and South America with unprecedented, alarming speed. Armed with venomous spines, a non-discriminating palate, ability to survive in various salinities and depths, high reproductive rate, a gluttonous ambush predator voracious of your food supply. The invader appears exotic to some, to others an opportunity. This non-indigenous species is commonly referred to as: Lionfish. Lionfish Watch this National … Read entire article »

Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Article, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Products, Promotions, Reefs, Reference

Advancing your Scuba Skills and Rating

Advancing your Scuba Skills and Rating

Divetalking added under the Learning Tab an offer to Advance your scuba skills and rating. Looking to up your knowledge and skills while earning certifications? Reach out to me and together we will organize a plan to fulfill your goals. Click here to read more and to contact me to talk about your opportunities. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Article, Boats, Cameras, Computers, Dive Planner, Divetalking, Drift, Drysuits, Education, Instructor, Lionfish, Master Diver, ocean, Photography, RDP, Recreational Dive Planner, Reefs, Reference, Rescue, Scuba Training and related organizations, Sharks, Specialties, Springs, Training, Travel, Turtles, Videography, Whaleshark, Wrecks

Lionfish Traps that appear to be working

Check out these new #lionfish traps researchers are testing in the northern Gulf of Mexico!   Former Guy Harvey Scholar Holden Harris (UF IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station) has been working with Alex Fogg from the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners and Steve Gittings from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries to test a new a “non-containment” lionfish trap. The design works to “bait” lionfish by offering a structure that attracts them. The trap remains open while deployed on the sea floor, allowing fish to move in and out of the trap footprint. When the trap is retrieved, a netting is pulled up around the fish inside and they are brought to the surface. Now, with funding from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and help from DreadKnot Charters, the researchers are … Read entire article »

Filed under: Article, Artificial Reefs, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Lionfish, Reefs, Reference, Report

Invasive species are harming the ocean – here’s how you can help!

With its ornate, flowing fins and bold body pattern, the fish in the picture above is beautiful, but outside of its native Indo-Pacific range, this venomous lionfish can have harmful impacts on marine life. In the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, invasive lionfish are wreaking havoc on habitats, fisheries, and ecosystems with their voracious appetites and rapid reproduction. REEF is leading the way in addressing the lionfish invasion, through a combination of scientific research, lionfish removal projects and derbies, educational workshops, and market development. Your support is crucial to the success of these conservation actions. Please make a donation to REEF today – every contribution this summer will be matched. If you have already contributed, thank you so much for your support! For the past 25 years, REEF has enlisted citizen scientists … Read entire article »

Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Divetalking, Donation, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Lionfish, ocean, Reefs, Reference, Report

Reef Assassin Act

House of Representatives Passes Congressman Matt Gaetz’s “Reef Assassin Act” Amendment to H.R. 200 July 12, 2018 Press Release Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday unanimously passed Congressman Matt Gaetz’s (FL-01) “Reef Assassin Act” amendment to H.R. 200, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act. The amendment will encourage the elimination of lionfish from our waters. It allows individuals to trade 100 harvested lionfish tails for one tag authorizing fishing for coveted reef fish: red snapper, gag grouper, triggerfish, and amberjack. The lionfish population has exploded over the last three decades; they can now be found throughout the Atlantic coast, the Bahamas, and the Gulf of Mexico. A single female lionfish releases 30,000 eggs every two to four days — two million eggs per year. Lionfish harm … Read entire article »

Filed under: Alert, Article, Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report

How to Filet a lionfish

Harvesting lionfish is good for the ecology and economy. Better yet, they are delicious. Click to watch the video on how to safely filet a lionfish   … Read entire article »

Filed under: Education, Lionfish

Lionfish Education Exhibit Program

To increase awareness and ensure consistent, accurate messaging about the lionfish invasion in Florida waters by supporting the creation of lionfish educational exhibits in public facilities around the State FWC has initiated a Lionfish Education Exhibit Program. To learn more about the program and to see if you qualify to participate, follow the following link. Lionfish Education Exhibit Program … Read entire article »

Filed under: Article, Artificial Reefs, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, Lionfish

Lionfish Harvest Charter Program

Program Overview Goal: The FWC Lionfish Control Team is asking for assistance from Florida’s divers and dive charter businesses to increase lionfish harvesting efforts . The program aims to incentivize dive  charters to conduct lionfish-specific harvesting trips in an effort to increase the number of lionfish removed from Florida waters. To read more about how to apply for this program, click Requirements & Application Ready to purchase your lionfish hardvesting equipment? Click here to be taken to Zookeeper … Read entire article »

Filed under: Article, Boats, Diver, Earth, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference

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

Sunken Conservation

Sunken Conservation Three mini stories showing the efforts to create, maintain reefs and the invasion of lionfish off Florida shores. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Aquatica, Artificial Reefs, Cameras, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Preservation, Promotions, Recognition, Reefs, Turtles, Video

Revolution – A must see. Rent or Buy your copy now

Yekra Player Yekra is a revolutionary new distribution network for feature films. Revolution Revolution is a feature documentary about opening your eyes, changing the world and fighting for something. A true life adventure following director Rob Stewart in the follow up to his hit Sharkwater, Revolution is an epic adventure into the evolution of life on earth and the revolution to save us.Discovering that there’s more in jeopardy than sharks, Stewart uncovers a grave secret threatening our own survival as a species, and embarks on a life-threatening adventure through 4 years and 15 countries into the greatest battle ever waged. Bringing you some of the most incredible wildlife spectacles ever recorded, audiences are brought face to face with sharks and cuddly lemurs, into the microscopic world of the pygmy seahorse, and on the hunt … Read entire article »

Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Article, Candidate, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Dolphin, Donation, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Lionfish, Manatee, Manta Rays, ocean, Open Water, Orca, Preservation, Products, Promotions, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Sharks, Tuna, Turtles, Whales, Whaleshark

NE Florida’s 2nd Annual Lionfish Derby

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

Florida Turns to Smartphone App in Battle Against Invasive Lionfish

Florida Turns to Smartphone App in Battle Against Invasive Lionfish

ORLANDO Fla. – Florida has a new phone app to help cull the invasion of its waters by the spiked lionfish, a venomous species that is devouring other fish and harming reef ecosystems. The state is home to more than 500 non-native species, but few as rampant in the wild as the marauding lionfish, which is fast-reproducing and has a voracious appetite. It preys on native fish such as yellowtail snapper, Nassau grouper and banded coral … Read entire article »

Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Diver, Earth, Education, Featured, Lionfish, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, FWC

  April, 2014 Commission Meeting Time: 8:30am each day Dates: April 15 – 17, 2014 Place: Florida Public Safety Institute 85 Academy Drive Havana, FL 32333 https://www.tcc.fl.edu/Current/Academics/FPSI/Pages/Directions.aspx This meeting is open to the public   8:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 16, there will be a presentation on the subject of LIonfsh Lionfish – Lionfish are invasive marine species that pose a threat to native  marine species and ecosystems.  Three draft rules will be proposed to prevent further lionfish introductions and facilitate efforts to remove these non-native predators.  Harvest by divers using either spearing gear or hand held nets is currently the primary means of lionfish population control. Persons diving by means of a rebreather are currently prohibited from harvesting any marine species in state waters.  A proposed draft rule would create an exception to allow persons using rebreathers to harvest lionfish.  In addition, there are several … Read entire article »

Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Preservation, Rebreather, Reefs, Reference, Report

Cozumel Lionfish Invasion

Divetalking has just returned from 8 days of diving the various reefs along the marine park corridor and have concluded the program put in place to control the Lionfish population is performing very well. During the 8 days of diving in the park, we came across very little lionfish, harvesting a total of 17 during the weeks dives. We did note they appear to be in groups, meaning there would be a number of lionfish clumped in an area, then periods of no lionfish. Most lionfish were in the depths 80+ foot, some can be found in the 50+ foot range and were usually smaller in nature. Congratulation to the people of Cozumel in promoting a program which appears to be working well within the marine park in controlling the lionfish population. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Lionfish

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