Diving News

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Last Update 10-5-97


10-5-97

El Niņo Strong-The Good and Bad News for divers

All indications show 1997 to be a very powerful year for the climatic effect known as El Niņo. Although still only slightly understood, the unusually warm water in the Pacific is often accompanied by heavy winter storms. That's the bad news.

The good news is that diving, up and down the California coastline, is expected to be spectacular this fall. The water will continue to be unseasonably warm through November. Water clarity will also most likely be excellent. You can expect visibility ranges to double, both along the coast and out at the islands. Look for beach diving to have visibility in the range of 30 to 50 feet and island diving to exceed 100 feet.


10-5-97

Scubapro Regulator Recall

Scubapro is recalling their G500 second stage regulators. Under no circumstances should you use this regulator until it has been repaired. All inquiries can be directed to Scubapro at (800) 467-2822.


10-5-97

Abalone, Malibu Preserve Bills Head to the Governor's Desk

At this time there are key pieces of legislation heading for the Governor's desk. The abalone bill (SB463) would permanently stop the harvesting of abalone until the populations recover, raise money for abalone fishery management through a fishing license "abalone stamp," and doubles poaching fines. It will also requires the Department of Fish and Game to develop a science-based abalone management plan. If it does not pass, the current emergency closure could expire reopening both the commercial and recreational abalone fishery south of San Francisco. Most scientists and many conservationists feel this will lead to the complete elimination of abalone from Southern California waters.

Two other bills, AB 374 and SB1006, would establish new marine preserves along the Malibu coast. These proposed reserves encompass much of Point Dume and the area of small state beaches southeast of Leo Carrillo State Beach. These areas would be closed to game taking and commercial fishing. Currently, the opposition to these bills is the Department of Fish and Game that feels they lack the resources for enforcement.

Make your opinions known to the Governor by writing him at: Governor Pete Wilson, The State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814; fax (916) 445-4633: e-mail PeteWilson@ca.gov


9-3-97

Sea Sickness Patches May Be Available Again Soon

There is hope on the horizon for those seasick divers who, in the past, relied on transderm scope patches. Those wonder patches worn behind the ear to prevent seasickness should be back on the market by the end of the year. Novartis Pharmaceuticals can be reached by calling 800-452-005 1 . A recorded message tells of the progress being made to get the patches to the consumer. If you need more information, call the 800# and leave your name and address. They will notify you when the patches will be available.


9-3-97

Don 't Touch at San Clemerzte Island!

From the Golden Reef Divers, a report on a San Clemente Island boat dive,..(Name withheld)found one old fifty caliber machine gun shell. Brass treasure! We made another dive on the other side of Castle Rock and then moved down to LCI Point for the third dive. (Name withheld)found a great piece of aluminum something here... We have no idea what it is but we have it for the treasure collection. I found another piece of the same thing... -- CDN has always politely suggested never to pick up anything found in the waters off San Nicolas or San Clemente Islands. The islands are under the control of the military and they do use live shells and who knows what else in their maneuvers. We realize that the description of the aluminum something does not sound like an explosive device, but who can guarantee that it won't start glowing soon. Don't touch or otherwise disturb any questionable object on the bottom at San Clemente or San Nicolas Islands!


7-2-97

Another Abalone War Victory

Officials from the California Department of Fish and Game seized 1.25 tons of illegal Northern California abalone meat in an undercover sting operation that has been running for a year. It is the largest haul ever valued at nearly a quarter million dollars.

Commercial fishing of abalone along the North Coast has long been illegal. With the collapse of the fishing in the south, poaching along the north coast has been on the increase. This bust is the latest in a series to crack down on this illegal activity.

With the emergency closure of all abalone fishing from San Francisco southward, commercial fishing of abalone is now illegal statewide.


7-2-97

Monterey Tanker Not A Threat

The recently found sunken oil tanker that posed a threat to the Monterey National Marine Sanctuary may not be as much of a threat as originally thought Evidence is strong that the ship contained "Santa Maria Crude." The temperature and pressure of the wreck would render the oil harmless in the form of congealed crude.


7-2-97

Shark Chumming Banned

Once again the government has jumped to the rescue of those most in need. The great white shark can no longer be fed by human beings within the boundaries of the Monterey National Marine Sanctuary. The banned shark baiting forbids the use of any chum from three miles offshore in the sanctuary boundaries. This is in spite of the fact that no sharks were ever harmed. and no humans were involved in any incident related to the chumming.


6-4-97

Take of Red Abalone Closed South of San Francisco

The California Fish and Game Commission has handed down an emergency closure of the take of red abalone in all waters south of San Francisco. The closure will be for 120 days, will take effect immediately, and applies to both the commercial and sport take of abalone. The closure will be reviewed again in August. Since there is already a closure in place for black, green, pink and white abalone in these areas this closure effectively bans the take of all abalone south of San Francisco. Because the commercial take of abalone is already illegal north of San Francisco; the emergency closure effectively shuts down the entire commercial abalone diving industry in the state. Sport take of abalone north of San Francisco is unaffected (breath-hold diving only).

The Fish and Game Commission is responding to overwhelming evidence of a collapse of the abalone population due to disease and over fishing. Heavy pressure also came from representatives from the sport diving community calling for the closure.


6-4-97

Catalina Mooring Buoy Project

The effort to place permanent mooring buoys at popular dive sites around Catalina Island has taken its first step forward. This spring a non-profit corporation was formed for the installation and eventual maintenance of the mooring buoys. Planning is already underway. The raising of funds can now begin with installation close behind. For many years now the use of permanent mooring buoys has-been standard practice at popular tropical dive sites to preserve delicate coral reefs from anchor damage. While nowhere near as delicate as coral reefs, it is hoped that the installation of permanent mooring buoys at popular sites at Catalina will prevent permanent damage to kelp forest eco-systems.

Currently, the project is being lead by Steve Madaras of Catalina Scuba Luv. Contributions to the project have already been made by the PADI Aware Foundation, the Catalina Conservancy Divers and several concerned individuals. Installation of the first buoys could be expected as early as this winter. For information contact Steve Madaras at (310) 510-2150.


6-4-97

Leopard Sharks at San Clemente Island

Numerous leopard sharks are reported to be congregating in the shallows off the front side of San Clemente Island. Leopard sharks range in size from three to six feet long and school in the shallows in the summer. Usually shy creatures, the sharks become preoccupied with mating and can be approached by snorkelers. Look on sand and gravel bottoms in 20 feet of water or less. In calm areas they can be found in water as shallow as three feet.

The reports from San Clemente Island indicate dozens of sharks, some quite large, crowded into small pockets in the reef. Although considered harmless. caution should be exercised when approaching these animals. Other good locations to observe leopard sharks include Malaga Cove in the south Santa Monica Bay, and shallow coves at Catalina Island's Isthmus.


6-4-97

Old Marineland Site to Reopen

The popular beach dive site on the Pales Verdes Peninsula know as Old Marineland is likely to reopen to public access very soon.


3/30/1997

La Jolla Divers' Movements Restricted

We hear that lifeguards at La Jolla Shores are causing problems for the divers in San Diego. Specifically, it has been reported that the lifeguards are reprimanding divers for entering or exiting the water anywhere other than Vallecitos Street. One incident even reported the lifeguards had actually forced divers in the surf zone to Swim back out and around to make an exit at Vallecitos Street.

If this has happened to you, please send all details to the San Diego Council of Divers. Please do not confront the lifeguards, but rather contact the council with your information. They will in rum look into the situation with the San Diego Lifeguard Management. To Contact the San Diego Council of Divers, ca11(619) 687-1492.

The divers in California are represented by various councils up and down the coast. They are a wonderful resource of information for legislation and details that may affect the sport diver.


3/30/1997

Gold Diving Predicted To Be Best Ever

There is a positive side to the heavy snows, torrential rains and flooding that has plagued much of the Central California inland mountains. Experts are predicting that gold prospecting in steams and rivers will be the best it has been in decades, perhaps the best ever. The heavy Row of water from unusually high precipitation levels this winter have washed tremendous amounts of earth into and down stream and river beds. The rivers, acting as giant sluice bones, filter out the gold which is deposited in crevices and eddies in the river. Entirely new deposits have been created. These same river beds have been scoured and shifted revealing undiscovered deposits of gold. Normal prospecting techniques only touch along river banks; but divers have the unique advantage of being able to work the river bottom. Hard working divers braving the cold swift water seem to always do well and will especially do so this spring and summer. Interested novices can start with the book Diving and Dredging for Gold by Dick Anderson (Best Publishing, Flagstaff, AZ), Another good contact is Keene Engineering in Northridge, CA. They are a maker of gold dredging equipment for divers.


2/28/1997

Catch Poachers with Marine Witness Program

Those poaching from the ocean are stealing from us. Poachers strip from the ocean without regard to the impact on the environment and those who use a marine environmenton a regular basis. Poaching activity is at an all time high and with budget cut back, resources of the California Department Fish and Game (DFG) are stretched extremely thin.

With a new program from the DFG, you can now help more than ever put an end to thisplague of poaching. The DFG has developed what they call the Marine Witness Program. Concerned citizen groups such as dive clubs can now be given a brief seminar on exactly what to look for in terms of illegal fishing activity. A lay person is fully briefed by a DFG officer at a short talk given to their group on exactly what to look for and how to document suspicious fishing activities. Included with the talk are the proper forms for documenting such incidences. Poaching activity that is properly documented leads to more arrests and convictions.

Now more than ever, conservation and enforcement are going to fall into the hands of those most concerned with the ocean. Those diving groups desiring to have a California Fish and Game Marine Witness Program seminar given to their group should contact the DFG headquarters in their area.


2/28/1997

Divers Encounter Orca

The more you dive, the more you'll see". The ocean is constantly surprising us, giving usnew joys to experience. Several lucky divers were treated to an encounter with an Orcawhale while snorkeling off La Jolla Shores. Their encounter, though brief, is some thing those divers will never forget. Remember, you can't experience that "moment" unless you are there.


2/28/1997

Beach Diving Viz Spectacular

Winter beach diving in Southern California can be fantastic. The group that met for the3R~s course in December off PointDume (L.A. County) were treated to 35 foot of visibility. A few weeks later the group "Sand Eaters" dived La Jolla Cove in San Diego and experienced 40 foot viz.

With the rains now upon us beach diving conditions can be erratic but winter storms are often followed by periods of bright sunshine and offshore winds that bring spectacular conditions to Southern California beaches. To pick your spot for the best conditions, calldive and surf report numbers ahead of time or talk to your local dive store for the latest info on where the water is clear and calm.


1/29/1997

Casino Point to Undergo Improvements for Divers

The Avalon City Council has approved $50,000 for the improvement offacilities at the Avalon Underwater Park. Some of the specific improvements include showers and stairs to the water. In addition,the Santa Catalina Island Company may be donating an old tug to sink as a new wreck in the park.
The city would also like to devote a full-time maintenance person to the site. According to City Councilman Tim Winslow, however, in order to fund this they are considering a $10 fee per diver to dive the park.


1/29/1997

Prop 132 Threatened

Commercial fishing groups have been attacking Prop 132, severely eroding its effectiveness in protecting the ocean environment. California State Proposition #132 passed in 1990 banning the environmentally damaging practice of gill netting in nearshore waters.Gill netting is a commercial fishing practice that uses long driftnets that catch indiscriminately nearly everything in it's path.With the practice there was very large percentage of"incidental kill"or animals that were caught, then thrown back into the sea dead because they were not wanted or marketable. The incidental killincluded everything from juvenile fish, seals and sea lions, sharks, turtles, crustaceans and tons of"trash" fish. Most divers, line fishers and spearfisher agree that since the law's passing in 1990, the stocks of halibut, white sea bass and other kinds of fish have rebounded and are the healthiest they have been in years although still not back to what they were 20 years ago.The Vietnamese Gillnetters Association partially overturned the law in 1991 in the case of rockfish. Recently the Los Angeles Commercial Fishing Association won a temporary restraining order baning enforcement of a large portion of Los Angeles and Orange Counties. the enforcement ban may become permanent. Prop 132 included a provision for paying off commercial fishers that previously made a living by gill neting.


1/29/1997

Lobster with Tail Rot

On November 24, 1996 on the backside of Santa Rosa island, a diver aboard the Vision dive-charter boat took this lobster that seemed to be suffering from some sort of tailrot. Long time Channel Islands diving veterans. Glen Frialer (captain of the Vision) and California Diving News editor, Dale Sheckler, along with many other experienced divers aboard agreed they'd never seen anything like it. The head and body seemed heathy as did the meat of the tail as viewed from the underside. The tail shell, however, was black with much of segments eroded or eaten away. The lobster was turned over to California Fish and Game biologists for further study.


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