Great Annual Fish Count — July
Volunteer divers are invited to participate in the Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC) during the month of July. GAFC is an event coordinated by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF). The GAFC is coordinated by REEF with support from the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP). Participants receive training in local fish identification in an easy to learn survey method developed by fish ecologists. By recording their observations in a standardized method, divers and snorkelers assist resource managers in identifying trends in fish populations and distributions, as well as heightening public awareness about these issues.

Since 1992, the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary have been primary focus areas for the event.

Although not necessary, participants are encouraged to attend advanced training sessions in fish identification methodology. A number of seminars are being offered in California and throughout the country. In addition, some official fish count dives are being staged. Some of the local dive charter operators are offering discounts on select trips to “fish counters.”

Just a few of the scheduled events for California include:
• The charter boat Peace in Ventura is offering $10 off midweek open-boat trips for REEF fish-counters in July. Call 805-650-DIVE or 866-984-2025 for details. Mention the Great American Fish Count when making reservations.
• Group Fish Count Dive & BBQ, Saturday July 9, 9 a.m., Coral Street Cove, Pacific Grove. Email larsonk@pacbell.net.
• Advanced Fish ID Seminar, Saturday July 9, NOAA Conference Room, 299 Foam Street, Monterey: 4:00pm “Juvenile Rockfish Identification” by Tom Laidig
5:30 p.m. “The Less Usual Suspects” by Kawika Chetron and Clinton Bauder Limited seating available. Email wolfe@igc.org.
• Paradise Dive Club is fish count diving the charter boat Vision at Santa Cruz Island on July 16th. E-mail carlgwinn@yahoo.com or call 805-968-5694.

For complete information on the fish count, visit the web site www.fishcount.org or www.reef.org.

Gold Star Dive — July 9
The 8th Annual Gold Star Dive on Catalina Island at the Casino Point Underwater Park will be held on July 9. The event is hosted by the Avalon Sheriff’s Station and sponsored by several dive shops, and companies associated with diving. This event will be a fund-raiser for the Avalon Sheriff’s Station’s S.T.A.R. (Success Through Awareness & Resistance) program and the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.

Divers will search for stars in depths between 10 feet and 50 feet. The gold stars will measure approximately five inches by five inches, vacuum-packed, numbered, and made of solid chocolate. Divers will have an hour and a half to search for the gold stars. Participants who find them will return the number to the check-in table for a prize. All divers must be certified and attend a pre-dive briefing at Casino Point prior to the event. T-shirts and food will be available for sale. For information, call (310) 510-0174, or e-mail klclevel@lasd.org.

3Rs Workshops - July 9, July 30, and more
Rocks, Reefs and Rips program (3Rs) is a mini-course designed to familiarize divers with popular beach dive sites and improve their beach diving skills. Sessions in the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area will take place: July 9 at Broad Beach Road, Malibu (Los Angeles County) and August 13 at Point Dume, Malibu (Los Angeles County). Sessions in the San Diego area will take place: July 9 South Casa Cove and July 30 at Goldfish Point (La Jolla Caves). Additional workshops are planned through late summer and early fall.

Instructors will demonstrate and supervise proper surf entry and exit procedures, explain unique aspects of the dive site, and discuss dive condition assessment techniques. Participants are then led on a snorkeling tour of the dive site. (Participants are to wear full wetsuit, mask, fins, snorkel, and a weight belt with half of the normal weight they use for diving. Tanks and regulators are not allowed.)

All classes begin at 8 a.m. but participants should arrive at 7:45 for registration. There may be a fee depending on the session (visit the appropriate web site as indicated below).

The L.A. area workshops are organized and conducted by the L.A. Co. Underwater Instructors Association in cooperation with the Greater Los Angeles Council of Divers. For info on the L.A. Co. workshops, email 3rs@glacd.org, call 310-344-3250 or online www.lascuba.com/3rs.html. The San Diego sessions are hosted by the San Diego Council of Divers and various dive clubs. For information on the San Diego 3Rs visit www.sddivers.com/events.

L.A. County Advanced Diver Program — begins July 10
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Underwater Instructors Association, has announced dates for the 2005 Advanced Diver Program (ADP). Beginning July 10, local divers can take part in this wholly unique diving program that is designed specifically with California divers in mind. Participants will be exposed to the skills that will create a more confident and well-informed diver in a practical hands-on environment. With over 20 ocean dives planned and led by a staff of experienced instructors, the opportunity to have a great time and become better divers has never been easier. In addition, participants will meet with and learn from some of the most influential and respected people in diving today. Toss in a couple of barbecues, the best diving in Southern California, and the chance to make new diving buddies, and you have the makings of something special. For more information visit http://www.lascuba.com on the web.

Ships2Reefs Meeting, Orange County — July 13
Ships2Reefs is a rapidly growing movement with a collaboration of Federal, State and local governments, divers, and fishermen to sink mothballed obsolete naval vessels as artificial reefs along the coastline. The U.S. government has already promised the donation of many vessels including the expense of environmental cleaning. Additional funding, coordination and cooperation from local authorities are needed. Organizational gatherings known as “Sink Groups” are arising up and down the coast. Your participation in needed.

An initial Sink Group meeting in Orange County will take place at Fuddruckers restaurant in Lake Forest on July 13, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. For more information on this meeting, e-mail BEvans@fjmercedes.com. For information on a Sink Group in your area, or forming a regional group, visit www.ships2reefs.com online.