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GLACD’s Town Hall Meeting on Marine Protected Areas - April 2
The Greater Los Angeles Council of Divers (GLACD) will be holding its second presentation in a series of meetings concerning the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), which mandates that California establish a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The intent of these meetings is to solicit input from the diving community on the MPAs that are proposed for implementation along California’s Coastline. These meetings are not intended to be for or against this implementation, but rather are intended to disseminate information about the MPAs, and survey the diving community about their concerns so that we may adequately represent the interests of divers in Southern California. After gathering input from divers, GLACD will collaborate with the other three Councils in California and provide input to the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG). The meeting will be held Tuesday, April 2nd, at the Whaler’s Dive Club monthly meeting at Zig’s restaurant in Woodland Hills. Contact Whaler’s member Steve Patchis at 818-341-2337 for information about the monthly Whaler’s Dive Club meeting.
A member from DFG will be present at the meeting to update the community on the recent changes in the MLPA Process and the revision to the plans announced last summer.
Additional meetings will be held throughout the year to address the progress of the MPA implementation and to keep an open avenue of communication between divers and DFG during the political process. Information will be posted on the GLACD website at http://www.glacd.org. GLACD strongly encourage all divers to attend this meeting to learn the issues and provide us with input on your concerns. In order for this process to be successful, GLACD needs input from as wide a range of the diving community as possible.
CCD Marine I.D. Lecture & Research Diver Training Class — starts April 13
Catalina Conservancy Divers will conduct its semi-annual kelp forest species identification education, and research diver training program, for interested divers as well as the general public. For complete details, visit the CCD web site at http://www.ccd.org, or contact Mike Doran at mddesq@earthlink.net or (310) 962-2042.
Phase I of the program includes a lecture, slide presentation, and walk through of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium with Dr. Bob Given on Saturday, April 13, from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 12:30 p.m. This phase of the program is open to the public, and there is no charge other than a voluntary $5 donation to the Aquarium. Tell your friends about this fascinating program— repeat attendees are welcome. For divers, there will be a lunch break followed by additional CCD orientation and species ID training from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. There is a $50 charge for books and materials to those reserving enrollment in the diver training phases of the program.
Phase II of the training is also at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday April 27. There will be a review of species identification and a slide quiz, followed by lectures and demonstrations of key species monitoring research protocols and procedures.
Phase III and Phase IV of the program are check out dives at Casino Point, Avalon, and participation requires membership in CCD ($100 annual dues). Phase III is at Casino Point from 9:30 p.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m. on 4/28/02, and includes two check out dives for key species identification. Phase IV is on May 4, also at Casino Point from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m., and includes two check-out dives for research protocols and procedures. Only those completing Phase IV qualify for a Research Diver Certification and embroidered patch, which entails eligibility to participate in CCD key species monitoring projects at Catalina.
Dive In To Earth Day - April 15-22
Tens of thousands of scuba divers, snorkelers and ocean lovers from around the world will be celebrating Earth Day underwater by Diving In April 15-22. This year marks the third year of Dive In To Earth Day, an international event that encourages divers to take action to help protect our planet’s marine resources.
Hundreds of Dive In activities will take place in over 50 countries, including reef surveys in Florida, beach cleanups in Israel, children’s snorkeling trips in the Caribbean, and celebrity photo events in Singapore. Last year, more than 200 people organized Dive In activities in their local communities, engaging 32,000 participants worldwide.
Anyone can organize or participate in a Dive In event. The Dive In To Earth Day web site lists all Dive In activities around the world and has great tips for organizers. For more information, go to http://divein.coralreefalliance.org.
Dive In To Earth Day was launched by the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) in 2000 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Earth Day (held annually on April 22). CORAL, a non-profit coral reef conservation organization, is once again coordinating the event with the help of Project AWARE Foundation, West Marine, Dive Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA), Earth Day Network, International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN). Reef and Reef Check.
For more information about Dive In to Earth Day, go to http://divein.coralreefalliance.org on the web.
Grand Grunion Gala — April 27
The Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium will host the annual Grand Grunion Gala on Saturday, April 27 at the aquarium, 3720 Stephen White Drive, San Pedro. The fund-raiser benefits the exhibits, displays and marine education programs at the aquarium.
Marine life artist, Wyland, will be presented with the John M. Olguin Marine Environment Award by Dr. Robert H. Schuller. The award will be given in recognition of Wyland’s many contributions towards ocean awareness, conservation, and education. Through his work as a painter, sculptor, and muralist, Wyland has achieved worldwide commercial success, which has enabled him to share his dedication to the preservation of marine life through public art and educations.
Since 1981, Wyland has painted 88 football field-sized “whaling walls” throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, New Zealand and Japan. The Guinness Book of World Records acknowledged him as the creator of the world’s biggest mural, a three-acre work on the 11-story Long Beach Convention Center that was completed in 1992. He intends to paint 100 walls around the world by the year 2011, all of which are gifts to the cities they are in. It is estimated that over a billion people view his whaling walls annually.
The Wyland Foundation was founded in 1993, with a mission “to inspire people to care more about our oceans and life within them and to encourage people to become involved in ocean conservation.” Among its many accomplishments, the Foundation has supported numerous research programs and over 100 conservation groups, funds student scholarships, and has developed and implemented educational programs for students of all ages.
The Grand Grunion Gala is open to the public by reservation only. Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be actor Ed Begley, Jr. and motivational speaker, Mark Victor Anthony, will serve as dinner chair. Tickets are $150 per person for the black-tie event, which features live and silent auctions of a vast array of vacation packages, services, works of art, and unique adventure opportunities. For more information or to purchase advertising in the tribute program, call 310-548-7562, extension 9034.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Free aquarium and tidepool tours are offered to over 180,000 school children and nearly a half-million visitors annually. Recognized as one of the best teaching aquariums in the world, CMA has a 67-year record of innovation and excellence as an important educational resource for the residents and visitors of Los Angeles.
14th Annual Catalina Chamber Day/Evening — May 1
Wednesday, May 1, has been selected as the date for Catalina Chamber Day/Evening 2002, the 14th annual fund raiser to benefit the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.
Hyperbaric chambers are the only means of treating embolism and bends, life-threatening maladies that can affect divers. Although diving is very safe, it is important these facilities be available in the event of a diving emergency. Because of the high amount of diving done in Southern California, the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber is quite active. Even though Los Angeles County funds a large portion of this chamber’s costs, a substantial amount of the budget must come from other sources.
Catalina Chamber Day was conceived as a way for recreational divers to have fun diving (and partying) while at the same time making a financial contribution to this important facility. With the day-time portion of the event, now in its 14th year, Southern California dive-charter boats graciously donate their time and services for the day, and divers pay to dive Catalina Island aboard one of the participating boats. Boats visiting Catalina will also take their passengers on a walking tour of the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber facilities. There will be thousands of dollars in prizes. More raffle tickets can be purchased. For those that want to participate in the daytime event, but cannot get away from work to go diving, book a trip on the phantom “Flying Dutchman” boat.
Those divers (and their loved ones) unable to get away mid-week for the diving, along with those that dived Catalina that day, can also participate in the Chamber Evening, hosted by the magnificent Aquarium of the Pacific. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the aquarium, after hours, and have a sit-down dinner in the aquarium’s Great Hall. In addition to the aquatic entertainment, there will be door prizes, awards and musical entertainment.
And finally, there will be the Jon Hardy Chamber Challenge, a challenge from the dive industry to raise unprecedented funds in the memory of the late Jon Hardy, diving educator.
All proceeds from the event go to support the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.
To sign up for the event, call 310-652-4990. Major credit cards are accepted. Requests to be on a specific boat can be made at sign-up. Complete information can be found on the web at http://www.chamberday.org.