Dive Instructor Don

A Free New Web Service for Diver Training and Instructors
The Alliance of Professional Dive Instructors, LLC. (APDI), has announced the launch of an exciting new web-service—Dive-instructors.com. This free service takes a new approach to the process of obtaining diver training by leveraging the convenience of the internet. The purpose of the site is to empower someone new to the sport of diving with a clearer understanding of his or her training choices. Dive-instructors.com enables someone to directly contact a number of instructors from different certification agencies, review their qualifications (which are also verified by APDI), read their customer testimonials, and even contact past customers for references. The benefit is you are now able to select the best instructor and training available in your area right over the internet. Dive Instructor Don, Commodore Bob and a host of other characters featured on the site present fresh and constantly updated information about the sport of diving that’s informative, entertaining and hilarious! A prospective student can now choose an instructor based on qualifications and convenience as well as their budget. APDI developed this web-service in response to a growing demand for an easier, convenient and more personalized way to gain the training required to become SCUBA certified.

“Customers want to have control over who, when, where and how their training will be conducted and demand better control for managing the costs up front!” says APDI CEO Dennis Vickers. “Dive-instructors.com enables students to choose an instructor who will tailor a training program around the customers needs and then serve as a customer advocate when the student is ready to make equipment decisions to help the customer save money.”

APDI is aggressively expanding its network of professional instructors through its sister site, Dive-professionals.com. Dive-professionals.com is focused on addressing the business needs of individual professional dive instructors from all certification agencies. “As a PADI instructor, dive-professionals.com has allowed me to provide more flexible alternatives and better customer service to my students. I now have the freedom to work with my students in ways that I never could before! The convenience it offers both me and my students is phenomenal!” says Jowen Sapiano, PADI OWSI 178925. “This service allows me to earn more money and build my business.”

APDI is a leading provider of web-centric business solutions to professional dive instructors and is headquartered in Camarillo, CA.

CA Dept. of Fish and Game Releases Draft Environmental Document For Channel Islands
In late May the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) released its draft Environmental Document (ED) for developing a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, off the coast of Santa Barbara. A public review period will last until July 12.

“This document is the result of three years of unprecedented collaboration among state and federal agencies and stakeholders, and it offers a network of areas that would be set aside to protect an extraordinary array of marine life and their habitats,” said Patricia Wolf, DFG Marine Region manager.

The draft ED details six major alternatives for creating marine networks that would protect between 12 to 34 percent of the Sanctuary. Those options are currently under consideration by the California Fish and Game Commission.

The Channel Islands ED is available on DFG’s Web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/ci_ceqa/index.html. Copies may also be reviewed at DFG’s Regional offices, harbors and marinas, and at county libraries along the coast.

Written comments will be accepted through July 12 and should be mailed to the Department of Fish and Game, Channel Islands ED, 1933 Cliff Drive, Suite 9, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. Comments must include a name and address, and may also be e-mailed (add Channel Islands ED to subject line) to Jugoretz@dfg.ca.gov.

On Aug. 24, 2001 in Santa Barbara, DFG and Sanctuary staff presented Commissioners with a joint recommendation to protect 25 percent of the waters around the Channel Islands—DFG’s preferred alternative—as well as the other five options that were developed during a two-year public process. Since the August meeting, the Commission has received public comments at three additional meetings along the coast.

The draft ED for the Channel Islands marine reserves process is the final state requirement prior to commission action establishing a network of MPAs within state waters. The Commission is expected to make a final decision at its meeting December 6, 2002 in Monterey.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) will evaluate the proposed networks of MPAs for those areas occurring in the federal waters. PFMC is expected to provide comments to the Commission prior to its scheduled Dec. 6 adoption hearing.

Copies of the alternatives, associated maps and proposed regulations are available on DFG’s web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/channel_islands/index.html.

To cover all bases you can also write Governor Davis at governor@governor.ca.gov or write the Fish and Game Commission, Executive Director, Robert R. Treanor, 1416 Ninth Street, P. O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244.

CPSC, Sherwood SCUBA LLC Announce Recall of Maximus Regulators
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sherwood SCUBA LLC, of Irvine, Calif., is recalling about 14,000 Maximus SCUBA regulators. The second stage orifices on these regulators can be cracked, bent or broken. This can result in a loss of breathing air underwater. Sherwood SCUBA has received seven reports of broken second stage orifices on these regulators. Two of the regulators broke during dives underwater. No injuries were reported.

The Maximus regulators included in this recall have the following
model, serial numbers and connection types:
Model Number: SRB5600, Serial Number Range: K600001 through K611834, Description: Yoke Connection
Model Number:SRB5600D2, Serial Number Range: DK60000 through DK62000, Description: Din-Style Connection
Model Number: SRB5600CE, Serial Number Range: EK60001 through EK62000, Description: Yoke Connection

The serial numbers are laser marked on the top of the second stage case
next to the mouthpiece. Authorized Sherwood SCUBA distributors and dealers nationwide sold these regulators from January 1998 through November 2000 for about $580. Consumers should stop using the recalled regulators immediately, and contact their nearest authorized Sherwood retailer for a free repair. For more information, call Sherwood SCUBA at (800) 469-9929 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or go to the firm’s web site at http://www.sherwoodscuba.com

Hands-On Marine Discovery Lab at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s Education staff and volunteers are on hand every Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m., also Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m. in July and August, and on the following weekends dates during the summer: Saturday, July 6th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Sunday July 14 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to answer questions and involve students of all ages in exploring local marine life in the hands-on Discovery Lab. The marine lab is open with a different theme each session. Drop by the Discovery Lab for activities including using microscopes, examining specimens, creating an art project, delving into books, playing games, exploring coastal habitats and much more. Shark teeth, baleen, birds, bones shells, and live marine invertebrates are among the specimens available for examination.

This program is free to all participants. Groups are asked to make reservations.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is located at 3720 Stephen White Drive, San Pedro, and is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

For additional information call (310) 548-7562 or visit the website at http://www.cabrilloaq.org.

Naturally Occurring Toxin Threatens Marine Life In Southern California
A naturally occurring toxin called domoic acid, continues to pose a threat to Southern California marine life. Department of Fish and Game (DFG) biologists are assisting the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) officia
ls in monitoring the toxin found in small marine fishes.

CDHS has reported that domoic acid found in recent samples of anchovies and sardines are four times the level that is safe for human consumption. A health advisory was issued by CDHS stating that sardines and anchovies may only be sold for bait and not for human or animal consumption.

CDHS also issued warnings for Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested species of crab (including crab butter) and bivalve shellfish because these species may be contaminated and can cause serious human illness. A similar warning was issued for Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County after elevated levels of domoic acid were detected there. Both warnings are in addition to the annual quarantine on the sport harvest of mussels along the entire coast, which went into effect April 19, two weeks earlier than normal.

Due to the very high levels of domoic acid in several species, particularly small finfish like sardines and anchovies, hundreds of marine mammals have been affected, many of which have been found dead or sick along Southern California beaches. The National Marine Fisheries Service has reported that more than 70 common dolphins have died from domoic acid poisoning and more than 200 live seal lions have gone into rehabilitation centers since the toxic bloom began.

California’s marine birds, including brown pelicans, grebes, and loons have also likely been impacted by the domoic acid outbreak. Several birds are currently being studied to determine if the cause of death or sickness was due to the toxin. More than 200 birds have died or have been found sick. Most of the live birds are being cared for at the International Bird Rescue Center in San Pedro.

Domoic acid is a nerve toxin produced by a particular species of microscopic algae that can cause severe human illness or death. Filter feeders like mussels and small finfish such as sardines feed on the algae and concentrate the toxins.

For public health updates on shellfish biotoxins, quarantines and information, contact the CDHS “Shellfish Information Line” at 1-800-553-4133.

To report the finding of sick seabirds in the Los Angeles area, call the International Bird Rescue and Research Center at (310) 514-2573. For deceased marine animals call the Los Angeles Dept. of Animal Services at 1-888- 452-7381, or the county at (310) 523-9466.

To report the finding of a sick marine animal in the Santa Barbara area, call (805) 966-9005 for seabirds, or (805) 687-3255 for marine mammal care. To report animals found deceased, call Stranding Coordinator Joe Cordaro, with the National Marine Fisheries Service at (562) 980-4017. For Ventura County, for all sick or deceased marine animals, call animal care services at (805) 388-4341.

For the San Diego area, call Wildlife Assist (858) 278-2222 for sick seabirds, and for marine mammals call SeaWorld at 1-800-541-SEAL. For deceased animals, call Stranding Coordinator Joe Cordaro, with the National Marine Fisheries Service at (562) 980-4017.

New Fiji Dive Center
Fiji celebrates opening of new dive center, Aquacadabra Diving and Adventure Sports Ltd. Aquacadabra offer superb value for money diving and adventure vacations.

Enjoy the luxurious surroundings of our host hotel and in the morning’s roll out of bed, glide down to the jetty and step on board Merlynn’s Magic, our custom built dive boat. In 10 minutes you are diving in one of the world’s most beautiful locations—Beqa Lagoon.

Beqa Lagoon, is the home of diving fantasy. Explore the stunning beauty of glorious soft coral gardens in warm tropical waters as clear as crystal. Marvel at the diversity of vibrant rainbow colored marine life or thrill at the experience of diving with sharks. From caves and grottos to walls and large pelagics, Beqa has it all.

Pacific Harbor boasts, quite rightly to be the Adventure Capital of Fiji. You can share our piece of paradise both on-top and underwater.

Visit http://www.aquacadabradiving.com for more information.