Divetalking » Archive
Belize to export invasive species, lionfish
9th July 2013, Placencia, Belize – Along Belize’s world heritage site-listed barrier reef, coastal communities are making waves in fight against a rapacious predator. At 11am on Tuesday, 2 July, the first box of filleted invasive lionfish left Belize international airport bound for Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its contents: 5.2 kg of the invasive lionfish, Pterois volitans, a species that poses one of the greatest threats to the sustainability of coral reefs and fisheries throughout the Caribbean region. [singlepic id=941 w=320 h=240 float=left] First released accidentally into the Caribbean near Florida by aquarists in the 1980s, the predatory fish from the Indo-Pacific has no natural predators in the Atlantic, and an exploding population is steadily eating its way across the entire Caribbean Sea. From the Bahamas to Barbados, coral reefs – and the traditional fisheries they … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Divemaster, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Products, Reefs, Reference
Lionfish Blast – Are you in or out?
Hi Everyone, Capt.Dan here we are going to do two weekends for the Lion Fish Hunt I will be giving away a free $100 dive trip for who ever gets the most. Come April 13 and April 20. The trips will cost $150 you can bring 4 tanks everyone needs to be advance diver. 110 to 115 will be the deepest. So give me a call 904-463-3236. [singlepic id=925 w=320 h=240 float=center] We are almost 1/2 way into the April month and the Lionfish Blast is well underway. We have some good numbers coming in and more days to beat those number and try to earn the top spot and the $500 award. Capt. Dan Lindley has dedicated his boat for the next two weekends to support the event. Visit Offshore Dive Charter at … Read entire article »
Filed under: Boats, Contest, Divetalking, Events, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Promotions, 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
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
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
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
Lionfish Derby Aug. 18 out of Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach Shores
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: Artificial Reefs, Contest, Divetalking, Earth, Events, Featured, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Travel
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
LionFish Hunt off Jacksonville Fl. July 29, 2012
Join Offshore Dive Charters on a Lion Fish Hunt @ the Artificial Reef: DryDock [singlepic id=744 w=640 h=480 float=center] Two Dives on the Casablanca, One dive on BR Ferry and One dive on the Huggins, 4 tanks, Deep Dives (approx 110 feet), must be Advanced and will need nitrox. Have your lionfish gear ready because they are there…..Need a puncture resistant gloves, pole spear, EMT shears, and either a bag or tube system that doesn’t allow penetration and a stringer (if you are going to cut off the spines under water – but this does take MORE time) [singlepic id=743 w=320 h=240 float=center] [singlepic id=781 w=320 h=240 float=center] The Casablanca is 327 foot long LST landing craft, hull number CVE 55, was built by Kaiser S.B. Company in Vancouver, Washington. She was originally built as the Alazon Bay, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Boats, Divetalking, Events, Lionfish, Master Diver, Open Water, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Report, Trip Invitations, Wrecks
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
Got Lionfish?
Lionfish 101 at Billy’s Boathouse Grille, Jacksonville, FL. When Sat, June 16, 7:00pm – 9:30pm Where Billy’s Boathouse Grille (map) Description Got Lionfish? Learn about this invasive species in local waters and how our teams of divers and lionfish aficionados are combating their destruction of native fish and reefs. Seafood appetizer buffet with shrimp dip, hot crab dip, peel n eat shrimp and fish fingers (and maybe some lionfish filets!) to be served. Tickets are $18 per person, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Events, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, Open Water, Reefs
Lionfish Workshop
[singlepic id=216 w=430 h=350 float=center] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MEDIA CONTACT: REEF: 305-852-0030 Lionfish Workshops to be held in Southeast Florida First Workshop on November 14th (MIAMI, October 31, 2011) – The Miami-Dade County Cooperative Sea Grant Extension Program in partnership with the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) will host a series of lionfish workshops open to the public for the Southeast Florida area. These workshops cover the history of the invasion, lionfish biology/ ecology/ impacts, how to safely collect and handle lionfish, lionfish venomology and first aid for stings, and recommended techniques for filleting lionfish. The first workshop of the series will be held Monday, November 14th, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, in the Cosculluela Hall, located at 500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL. Belen … Read entire article »
Filed under: Events, Fish, Lionfish, Reefs, Reference, Report
Palm Beach Florida Bring in over 1000 lionfish to help control population
Filed under: Events, Fish, Lionfish, Reefs, Reference, 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
Lionfish & Whaleshark Expeditions Invitation
Divetalking is hosting an Expedition to film and document on the subjects Lionfish and Whale Sharks September 3-10, 2011. During the week, three Lionfish Expeditions are planned, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, to film the harvesting of lionfish. Divetalking has opened up opportunities for individuals to participate in one, two or all three expeditions. Spots have been reserved for up to 8 divers per expedition and are assigned on a first come first serve basis. Participation in the expedition provides you with first hand experience managing the harvesting of lionfish. Any and all harvested lionfish will be consumed for an evening dinner, which is included in the expedition price. Also included is a lionfish cookbook. On the day of your lionfish expedition we start with a briefing on identifying lionfish, approach, spear or corral the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Boats, Cavern, Drift, Events, Featured, Lionfish, Open Water, Photography, Promotions, Reefs, Specialties, Training, Travel, Trip Invitations, Videography, Whaleshark
Lionfish and Whaleshark Expeditions September 3-10, 2011
September 3 – 10, 2011 I will be visiting Cozumel to create a documentary on the subject of Lionfish. Lionfish I am opening the Lionfish expedition up to individuals who have a need to experience Lionfish handling and would like to experience the consumption of any lionfish caught the day of your expedition. Your time will begin with about a 1 hour introduction to the nature of Lionfish, where they are from, what they mean to the local environment, techniques for safely handling. We will then proceed to the boat, heading to locations to begin the hunt for the lionfish. The days diving ends with the proper handing to clean and prepare the lionfish caught that day for consumption. Yes, you will be eating any lionfish caught that day. A lionfish cookbook … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Artificial Reefs, Boats, Cavern, Divemaster, Diver, Drift, Events, Featured, Fish, Instructor, Master Diver, Open Water, Photography, Promotions, Reefs, Reference, Sharks, Specialties, Training, Travel, Trip Invitations, Videography, Whaleshark, Wrecks