Towers
LedgeIt was late last summer when the salps were exploding in population. Salps are an open water creature, looking more like jellyfish but actually are openwater tunicates. They float freely on the currents, filtering food from the waters. When we dived the Towers Ledge on the backside of Santa Cruz Island, they were abundant in the water column. The currents raked across the reef, diverting and catching its flow. It was fascinating to watch the salps trace the pattern of the gentle current. Some were swirled up and over the reef. Others were snagged and subsequently devoured by ravenous animals.
I enjoyed seeing the ecosystem at work. So much of reef ecology, tropical or otherwise, relies on the currents to bring it food. While we know it's happening, and we can see the results with prolific life, it takes place microscopically, out of our vision. Here it was on a grand scale. The fish were having a feast with the salps.
The Towers Ledge is one of those places that act as a net, a sieve, or even just a speed bump that slows currents down or diverts them. And the animals take advantage and feed on the abundant banquet borne on the currents.
The ledge stretches from shore at an angle then extending to the south east. It is mostly stair stepped with the shallowest point at 15 feet deep and 55 feet at the bottom. Along the length there are vertical walls, overhangs and rock piles. The prevailing current runs west to east, raking along the face of the ledge. Kelp is light so it is easy to move along the face of the wall. Also because the wall diverts the current somewhat, it is possible to hug the wall and avoid the worst effects of rapidly moving water.
Calling the ledge home are patches of corynactus anemones, shiny brown chestnut cowries, and rock scallops. Here and there are large stands of red gorgonian hanging from the walls, an excellent wide-angle photo opportunity. Tucked into the ledges are variety of types of rockfish. I found one black-and-yellow rockfish (Sebastes chrysomelas) to be particularly cooperative for photography, but he never seemed to want to smile! Also backed up in the holes under the ledges were lobster (none large) and horn and swell sharks. Other abundant fish included garibaldi, señoritas, sheephead and gobies.
What kind of divers will like this site? Hunters will do better elsewhere, although nearby there some rock scallops and lobster. The fish are too small. Larger rockfish are on the deeper end of the ledge. While not a spectacular reef, it's fun to poke around as a sight-seer or photographer. It's certainly easy to navigate - follow it out, follow it back. There is enough macro material for the close-up photographer to shoot an entire roll of film. I used a whole roll with my wide-angle photographing salps, fish, and gorgonians hanging on the walls and overhangs.
Location:
Backside of Santa Cruz Island, beneath radio and radar towers on
bluff (hence the name). GPS N 33°59.026', W119°36.768' (GPS
for reference only; do not use as your sole source of navigation).
Access: Boat only.
Skill level: All.
Visibility: Good to very good, averaging 30 to 40 feet.
Snorkeling: Top of ledge is 15 feet deep offering some limited opportunities.
Photography: Good macro with a variety of subject material. Vertical faces and abundant fish are good for wide angle.
Hunting: Poor. Some rock scallops and a few lobster. Some rockfish.
Suggested Boats Serving This Area:
Liberty - (805) 642-6655
Explorer - (805) 646-0836
Peace - (805) 984-2025
Spectre - (805) 483-6612
Truth/Conception/Vision -
(805) 962-1127
or see the California Scuba Calendar section of this issue for trips to Santa Cruz Island
Dale Sheckler is editor of California Diving News, coauthor of the book Southern California's Best Beach Dives, and producer of the largest consumer dive expo in the western U.S., SCUBA Show 2000, June 3 & 4 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
