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
Registration Now Open for 2013 NW Florida Artificial Reef Workshop February 19 – 20, 2013 in Niceville, Florida
An exciting new event is coming to our area. Northwest Florida’s first Artificial Reef Workshop since 2006 will be held February 19 – 20, 2013 at the Niceville Community Center. The community center is centrally located in the Panhandle and located at 204 N Partin Dr, Niceville, FL 32578. Sessions and guest speakers will provide the latest information regarding Reef Designs, Artificial Reefs and Fisheries Management, Monitoring Tools, Artificial Reef Construction Issues in Inshore and Nearshore State Waters, The Economic Benefits and Impacts of Artificial Reefs in NW Florida, and other artificial reef topics of local interest. The evening of February 19th there will be an Evening Expo. At this Expo booths and information will be provided by the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association, Emerald Coast Reef Association, Florida Sea Grant, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Convention, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Summit
Scuba Show Long Beach Calf June 8-9, 2013
We hope you will join us at SCUBA Show 2013, in its 26th year. The dates are June 8-9 at the beautiful Long Beach Convention Center. 76,000 square feet of exhibit space will host hundreds of diving companies and resorts from around the world. Experts will talk about and display the latest diving equipment, beautiful and exciting dive travel destinations, dive education, underwater photography and much more. There will be special guests, dozens of fun and educational seminars, tens of thousands of dollars in door prizes, live California seafood cooking demonstrations and a continuous film festival on a three-story screen. And with audience participation, a famous marine artist will create a large work of art that will be auctioned at the end for charity. Buy Tickets … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Convention, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Reference, Summit, Training
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
Dubai’s first underwater hotel
Dubai is no stranger to breaking records. First, they built the world’s largest mall, then they built the world’s tallest building… And now, if plans come to fruition, the emirate could become home to the world’s largest underwater hotel. [singlepic id=839 w=320 h=240 float=center] The Water Discus hotel has been designed by Polish company Deep Ocean Technology (DOT) with the help of Swiss firm BIG InvestConsult AG. The hotel will comprise of two discs – one under the water, and one suspended above the water. The discs will be connected by five legs, and a vertical shaft in the centre housing stairs and a lift. [singlepic id=847 w=320 h=240 float=left][singlepic id=846 w=320 h=240 float=center] The underwater section will be up to 10 metres beneath the sea surface, and contain 21 double rooms adjacent to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, ocean, Reefs, Reference, Report
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
Come learn about marine research from the scientists themselves
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Training
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
Win an Authentic WWII Vintage Bronze Port Hole?
An authentic brass porthole from the Tuff-E-Nuff formerly known as Cunningham is being auctioned off. All proceeds go to fund an offshore expedition, search and recovery. To read more and enter, visit the TISIRI website. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Auction, Boats, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Donation, Events, Featured, ocean
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