Seal Bombs Affecting Divers in Redondo
CDN,
For the past few weeks many divers have been dropping down into Redondo Canyon to seek out the not-so-annual squid run. It’s been slow this year, but most of us have been experiencing a different type of exhilaration. The squid boats overhead have been dropping seal bombs, small explosive devices similar to M80s and the resulting concussion can be heard and felt everywhere in the vicinity. Last week there were six explosions felt during a 40-minute dive. One of my buddies reported seeing one go off less than 10 feet away. According to state law the commercial boats are allowed to use the seal bombs to scare away the seals and sea lions as long as the boats are at least 500 yards offshore. Every squid boat that has appeared outside the King Harbor entrance has remained at 150-200 yards from the beach. The canyon drop-off is close to shore and the captains find it easier to attract squid if they are not in extremely deep water. If you see a fishing boat with massive deck lights off the beach in December, be wary of concussions underwater.

Phil Garner
via e-mail

Phil,
Not only are they to stay 500 yards seaward while fishing, ALL powered vessels are supposed to stay 300 yards out from public beaches. If this happens again, the Redondo Harbor patrol should be contacted immediately as these operators should be cited.

Editor

Enjoys Back Issues on the Web; Are More Available?
Dear Dale and Kim,
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate being able to look at the California Diving News back issues (on the web at www. saintbrendan.com) from February 1999. The time and energy that’s put into this publication is unbelievable !

Is there any way to obtain issues that go further back beyond 1999 ?

Best regards,
Chett Lehrer
via email

Chet,
Not right now. Much of the material is covered in the books we have published: A Diver’s Guide to Southern California’s Beach Dives by Dale & Kim Sheckler, A Diver’s Guide to Monterey County by Bruce Watkins and A Diver’s Guide to Northern California also by Bruce Watkins (available at your many California dive retail stores or on the web at www.saintbrendan.com). More books are due out soon.

Editor

We'd like to hear from you! Email us at mail@saintbrendan.com, fax 310-792-2336 or write P.O. Box 11231, Torrance, CA 90510. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of letters received we cannot published all submitted. Please try to submit your letters in a timely matter. Deadline is the 5th of the month preceding the issue month. Please limit your letters to more than 200 words. Long letters are subject to editing.