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Study finds artificial reefs are economic boon, enjoy widespread public support
by Mickie Anderson, UF/IFAS News (Aug. 4, 2011) — A new Florida Sea Grant study of artificial reef use in six Southwest Florida counties shows the structures lure a lot more than fish. The reefs, which provide habitat for popular sport fish and other marine life, pulled more than $253 million into the region during one year, the study found. Though it costs nothing more than a saltwater fishing license to use the submerged structures as a fishing spot, anglers spend money on food, lodging, fuel, tackle and other necessities. The UF and Florida Sea Grant study, TP-178 Economic Impacts of Artificial Reefs for Six Southwest Florida Counties, looked at money generated by artificial reefs in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties in 2009. Researchers found that $136 million came from residents, while $117 million was spent by visitors. Bob Swett, the UF … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs
Pacific Paradise – Palau – November 20-28
Palau live aboard opportunity. Please join me on a pacific adventure. One of the best regions in the world to dive. Book before Sept 3, 2011 and you may save $700 off the charter rate. Contact me here ~ Rates are based on double occupancy. ~ All prices quoted USD. ~ Rates are subject to change without notice. ~ Single Supplement rate is 1½ times the charter rate if an individual traveler prefers a private room “Master” staterooms are larger and can have different configurations depending on the yacht. They can have a double bed, a queen or 2 singles that make into a queen (couples preferred). “Deluxe” staterooms have a double bed and one single bunk. “Twin” staterooms have two single bunks (singles preferred) and share a bathroom with one other stateroom. “Quad” staterooms have four single bunks … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Boats, Diver, Events, Open Water, Photography, Promotions, Reefs, Travel, Trip Invitations, Videography, Wrecks
Palm Beach Florida Bring in over 1000 lionfish to help control population
Filed under: Events, Fish, Lionfish, Reefs, Reference, Report
USS Arthur W Radford placed as artificial reef
PHILADELPHIA — Scrap by massive, metallic scrap, the pieces are being hauled away, leaving only the spine of a skeleton ship that served the U.S. Navy for 26 years. But her old, gray bones will soon begin a new life below the surface. The USS Arthur W. Radford, a 563-foot destroyer that was last deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom, is set to become the longest vessel ever reefed in the Atlantic Ocean when it is sunk this month at a site 28.5 nautical miles southeast of Cape May Point. The reefing of the ship, currently docked at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, is expected to create an explosive habitat for fish and marine life for anglers and an underwater playground for divers eager for discovery. And the state says the ship will be safe harbor … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
New Artificial Reef off Coast of Deleware/NJ
CAPE MAY — Some of the sailors who served on the Navy destroyer USS Arthur W. Radford gathered today to watch it be pushed to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean to become part of a manmade reef. “It’s sad to see it being sunk,” said Lee String, 46, of Westville who served on the ship in 1985 as a welder, pipefitter and plumber. “It was once a proud-looking ship, but it’s better to see it go to that purpose rather than razor blades.” Officials say the 563-foot ship, which was decommissioned in 2003, will be the longest vessel ever sunk as an artificial reef in the Atlantic Ocean. Plenty of manmade objects, including several retired New York City subway cars, are already submerged in the Atlantic to create habitats for sea life … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Boats, Reefs, Reference
Orange goo washing ashore in Alaska is egg mass, scientists say
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) – A mysterious orange goo that washed ashore in an Alaska village last week and sparked pollution concerns turns out to be a mass of crustacean eggs or embryos, government scientists said on Monday. Tests of a sample sent by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation produced the results, officials at a laboratory belonging to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Alaska Fisheries Service Center said. [singlepic id=313 w=640 h=280 float=] “We now think these are some sort of small crustacean egg or embryo, with the lipid oil droplet in the middle causing the orange color,” Jeep Rice, a lead scientist at the Juneau laboratory, said in a news release. “So this is natural. It is not chemical pollution; it is not a man-made substance,” Rice said. Last week’s … Read entire article »
Filed under: Report
Cozumel Lionfish and Whaleshark Expeditions + More
You are invited to join a group of divers on a number of expeditions September 3-10, 2011. The adventure begins Saturday September 3rd when you arrive on the island of Cozumel Mexico. Your all expense paid package includes an all inclusive week of 8 days, 7 nights hotel with meals and drinks, plus 10 dives. Sunday we are offering an all inclusive adventure to the whaleshark migration. This is an all day event where we shuttle over to the mainland and are brought up north to the boats to be shuttled out to locate migrating whalesharks. You will have the opportunity to get into the water an film the majestic creatures and they feed and migrate. You are then brought to an island where we will enjoy a delicious lunch before heading back to Cozumel. Monday offers an opportunity … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Boats, Cavern, Diver, Drift, Events, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, Master Diver, Open Water, Photography, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Sharks, Specialties, Travel, Trip Invitations, Videography, Whaleshark
Death of a Deity
A short by Joe Romeiro. Every year, millions of sharks are intentionally slaughtered. Humans are their own worse enemies. Become involved and reject the practice of commercial harvesting of shark, legal or illegal. Learn what you can and are willing and help spread the word. Also read the article The Day All the Sharks Died by Peter Benchley, written in 2002. An interesting perception and observation 10 years ago and how the reality of that perception is being proven true, today. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Reference, Sharks, Uncategorized, Video, Whaleshark