Populations Exploding?
Some Southern California underwater animals seem to be especially abundant as of late. California Diving News would like your input in an informal, unscientific survey to see if they are observing the same as their staff.
At Catalina and Anacapa Island there seems to be an unusually large number of Catalina Blue or Halfmoon fish. Also at Anacapa Island, Norris Top Shells are everywhere.
Do You Know the Way From Monterey?
Divers returning to the Bay Area from Monterey have experienced long delays. Here is a short cut to avoid the Highway 156 backup. Turn left onto Collins Road from Highway 156, just past the intersection of 156 and Highway 1. Go as far as you can on Collins Road, and turn right onto Castroville Blvd. Go as far as you can, and turn right onto San Miguel Canyon Road. Go as far as you can, and turn right onto Highway 101 south. Take the next exit, cross over the freeway and get on northbound Highway 1.
Eagle Reef Good For Lobster
Eagle Reef off the frontside of Catalina Island may be an excellent spot for late season lobster. Deep ledges, caves, and crevices hold a lot of lobster, with large lobster not unusual. Most, however, are far back in their holes and difficult to reach. In addition, Eagle Reef is heavily dived and the lobster here are quite wary. The best approach here: scout the for the best areas in the day and then make a night dive when lobster will be out in the open. Another option is to have an experienced charter boat skipper put you on just the right spot at night.
Rigs to Reefs Bill SB 241 Dies, Revival Ongoing
The bill (SB 241) that would have allowed oil companies to cut off old oil platforms below the waterline, leaving established artificial reefs intact, has died in review due to excessive changes.
In its place a new bill (SB 1) with similar goals has gone to committee. For more information contact the Coalition for Enhanced Marine Resources (CEMR) at 800-604-5007 or visit www.preservereefs.org.
More Abalone Poaching Arrests
State Department of Fish and Game investigators arrested Joel Roberts, 37, of Santa Cruz, and John Funky, 28, of Capitola in San Francisco after a multi-day investigation. Officials said the men, who were arrested separately, had 129 red abalone between them. Although not mentioned in any of the newspaper articles, Joel Roberts is a well known, high profile former commercial ab diver. Indeed, he’s one of a half dozen former commercial ab divers who have been appointed to the Director’s Abalone Advisory Committee to make recommendations to CDFG on behalf of the commercial abalone dive industry related to California’s abalone resource. With marine biologists currently raising concerns about a dramatic drop in the deep water reserve stocks off the north coast, it’s heartening to hear CDFG’s Special Operations Unit has busted a formerly commercially licensed diver who’s allegedly been engaging in commercial scale poaching.
Pt. Reyes Access Restored
Diver access has been restored to Point Reyes. This is, however, only partial, only affecting the lifeboat station. Access is still not available to the commercial pier which may be restored in the future.
How to Approach a Bat Ray
If you spot a bat ray resting in the sand, it is possible to get near, even really close, if you approach the ray properly. First, get low to the bottom. The ray already knows you are there but the trick is to not present yourself as a threat. Freeze your position and relax, developing rhythmic breathing. Give it a minute or two for the ray to get use to your being there and that you mean it no harm. Then and only then can you approach very slow, inching along the bottom toward the ray. If the ray raises up on its fins (“wings”), you have scared it. Settle down and freeze again. Repeat the relax and rhythmic breathing cycle until the ray relaxes. Sometimes you can approach within just a foot or two. Persistent divers have even been able to hand feed these gentle but shy creatures. If you decide to try the hand-feeding, however, be aware that bat rays have very powerful jaws and with their mouths on the underside they can’t see what they are chewing on. Their favorite foods? Try discards of crabs, clams, scallops and other shellfish.
Great Dive Reports From Monterey
The first part of winter has produced some spectacular diving conditions in central California. Divers report about every other weekend has yielded 40 to 60 feet of visibility and flat water. The gray whale migration has begun and divers have been treated to many flukes and blows. Winter is the best time to dive Monterey!