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
Artificial reef being built in Riviera Beach a real treasure for divers
By Hana Engroff Palm Beach Post Staff Writer RIVIERA BEACH — Divers and snorkelers will soon have another sanctuary where they can spot South Florida sea creatures – an artificial reef stretched across 2 acres near Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach. The reef, mostly made of limestone boulders, will be in 6 to 12 feet of water in the no-boat area just south of the park’s beach under the Blue Heron Bridge. Sandwiched between the beach’s swimming and boating areas, it will provide a refuge not only for divers and snorkelers but also for marine life, Palm Beach County project coordinator Harvey Rudolph said. Seahorses, octopuses, manatees, turtles, a variety of fish and other sea critters have been spotted in the Lake Worth Lagoon water. “You can see stuff here that you normally can’t see … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Diver, Divetalking, Donation, Earth, Education, Events, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Promotions, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Volunteer
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
WORLD SHOOTOUT 2012
During all of August! Cash and prestigious prizes, 8 creative categories and complete freedom to choose your own diving destination! Important Note: Prior to taking images you plan to submit to the World ShootOut, it is important that you set the date of the camera to the year 2015. For example, if you head out underwater on August 1st, the date on the camera should be set to 01/08/2015. This year, the competition consists of two main sections: Real-Time ShootOut – A global real-time underwater photo shoot out, which takes place during the whole month of August. Enjoy complete freedom of choosing your own dive destination anywhere around the world this August and submit your best images to the 5 Real-Time ShootOut categories. Images of the World – You can stay at home and still take … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contest, Diver, Divetalking, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Photography, Promotions, Reefs, Videography
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
Reef Environmental Education Foundation
With 2 weeks to go, we are two-thirds of the way toward reaching our goal of raising $60,000 in 60 days. Every dollar you donate will be doubled, and every donation makes a difference! Please help by donating through our secure website at www.REEF.org/contribute, mailing your donation to REEF at PO Box 246 – Key Largo, FL 33037, or calling us at 305-852-0030. Double your donation and ensure REEF’s marine conservation programs can continue. Every gift matters, regardless of the size! Thank you to each of you who donated so far to our summer matching campaign, and thanks to the generosity of the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation for matching your contributions! With donations from our members, we can continue to support programs that foundation and government funding no longer cover. Staff salaries and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Education, Events, ocean, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, Travel, Volunteer
Widow Blames Scuba Gear for Death of National Geographic Filmmaker Wes Skiles
Widow Blames Scuba Gear for Death of National Geographic Filmmaker Wes Skiles By MARIMER MATOS WEST PALM BEACH (CN) – Well-known National Geographic filmmaker Wesley Skiles drowned while shooting underwater because his Dive Rite scuba gear malfunctioned, his widow claims in Palm Beach County Court. Terri Skiles claims that Dive Rite knew its oxygen monitoring system had a propensity to malfunction because it had been recalled multiple times, but Dive Rite ignored “serious quality control issues” and tampered with the scuba equipment evidence after the fatality. Terri Skiles sued Lamartek Inc. dba Dive Rite; Dive Gear Express LLC fka Dive Rite Express; Fill Express LLC aka Dive Rite Express; Mark E. Derrick; Juergensen Marine Inc. and Analytical Industries Inc. She alleges negligence, strict liability, breach of warranty, conspiracy to spoliate evidence, and civil conspiracy. Terri Skiles … Read entire article »
Filed under: Computers, Diver, Education, Events, Featured, ocean, Open Water, Optima, Rebreather, Rebreathers, Recall, Reference, Report
Top Marine Scientists Warn Reefs in Rapid Decline
By Agence France-Presse 11 July 12 More than 2,600 of the world’s top marine scientists Monday warned coral reefs around the world were in rapid decline and urged immediate global action on climate change to save what remains. The consensus statement at the International Coral Reef Symposium, being held in the northeastern Australian city of Cairns, stressed that the livelihoods of millions of people were at risk. Coral reefs provide food and work for countless coastal inhabitants globally, generate significant revenues through tourism and function as a natural breakwater for waves and storms, they said. The statement, endorsed by the forum attendees and other marine scientists, called for measures to head off escalating damage caused by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, overfishing and pollution from the land. “There is a window of opportunity for the world … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report
Up to 20,000 sea turtle eggs crushed by bulldozers on Caribbean island
By Miguel Llanos, msnbc.com Thousands of leatherback sea turtle hatchlings and eggs were crushed over the weekend by bulldozers and excavators used to divert a river on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. “Unfortunately the engineers in charge bulldozed a far greater portion of beach than necessary, and they did destroy many viable nests,” the Papa Bois Conservation group posted on its Facebook page. It wasn’t immediately clear how much of an impact the tragedy would have on the critically endangered species, but the group noted that it happened on “the world’s most densely populated leatherback nesting beach.” Papa Bois said it wasn’t opposed to diverting the river, since it had been eroding not only a local eco-tourist hotel but the nesting area itself. But it noted that the work was done without supervision by “any of the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, extinction, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report, Turtles
Ultimate Diver Challenge – West Palm Beach, FL July 20-31, 2012
This years Ultimate Diver Challenge, UDC is being conducted in West Palm Beach, Florida July 20 – 31, 2012. Preliminary 2012 – Ultimate Diver Challenge Schedule Day 1 – Friday, July 20 •08:00 PM – Opening Ceremony (Meet the Teams and Honorary Guests) TBD Day 2 – Saturday, July 21 •08:30 AM to 11:30 PM – (Fun Diving, Buoyancy and Equipment Check & Registration) •09:00 PM to 1:00 PM – “Discover Scuba” for Community (Blue Heron Bridge) •02:00 PM to 3:00 PM – Marine Life Clean Up Challenge Kick Off — Registration & Rule Review •03:30 PM to 5:00 PM – Photo Challenge Briefing •07:00 PM to 8:00 PM – Seminar 1 “Diving Like a Fish, not like an Ape” Scott Evans, NASE •08:00PM – Challenge One Briefing Day 3 – Sunday, July 22 •09:00 AM – Fun Diving AM/PM Trips & … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contest, Diver, Divetalking, Events, ocean, Open Water, Promotions, Training, Travel
Lionfish Harvest Dry Docks Jacksonville Fl.
Join Offshore Dive Charters on a Lion Fish Hunt @ the Artificial Reef: DryDock [singlepic id=744 w=320 h=240 float=center] [singlepic id=743 w=320 h=240 float=center] The Drydock. [singlepic id=745 w=320 h=240 float=center] Approximately 600 ft length and 120 ft width. Depths from 100 to 130 ft. The U.S. Navy Drydock was placed offshore in 1989 to serve as an artificial reef. The drydock is heavily encrusted with Atlantic winged oysters, barnacles, and a type of soft coral (telesto riisei). Sea urchins and arrow crabs are abundant, and occasional scallops and thorny oysters decorate the reef. Sunday, June 24, 2012 Embark on The “Diamond Diver” A 46 ft. Newton with full accommodations The largest diveboat serving Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia Where to meet the boat? 9954 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226 at 6:00 AM EST Boat located at map Saturday…Southeast winds 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Artificial Reefs, Events, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Promotions, Reefs, Wrecks