Monterey Bay Symposium -- Causes of
Ecosystem Change:
Natural or Human? - March 18
Researchers, educators, students and the public are invited to learn about ecosystem change (both natural variations and human caused changes) and monitoring efforts in the Sanctuary. Share your ideas with leaders in marine science, education and conservation. The symposium will be held Saturday, March 18, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m at the Coconut Grove, Santa Cruz, CA (at the Boardwalk). For more information on the symposium, please contact: Liz Love at liz.love@noaa.gov.
High School, College, Post-graduate students and professional researchers are invited to submit posters. Posters may describe all types of coastal and marine research in and around the MBNMS. For more information on the poster session, please contact: Aaron King at aaron.king@noaa.gov.
The Central California Council of Diving Clubs (CenCal) has scheduled their annual Divers' Day for Saturday, March 18, 2000 at the Sam Trans Building in San Carlos. The focus will be increasing education in various areas of sport diving interests. Diving seminars and panel discussions will be presented by various authorities in areas of interest to divers. There will be a silent auction and door prizes will be awarded. For more information, visit www.cencal.org on the web.
Rocks, Reefs and Rips program (3Rs) is a half-day course designed to familiarize divers with popular beach dive sites and improve their beach diving skills. A session will take place at Salt Point in Sonoma County on April 15. Instructors will demonstrate and supervise proper surf entry and exit procedures, explain unique aspects of the dive site, and discuss dive condition assessment techniques. The session will be limited to the first 30 divers to sign up. Instructors and divemasters are welcome. Contact David Clayton at drc@ccnet.com or by calling (925) 689-8840.
Wednesday, May 3, has been selected as the date for Catalina Chamber Day/Evening 2000, the 12th annual fund raiser to benefit the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. This year's event is extra special because it is the Chamber's 25th anniversary.
Hyperbaric chambers are the only means of treating embolism and bends, life-threatening maladies that can affect divers. Although diving is 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 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 12th year, dive-charter boats operating out of Southern California 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.
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 Long Beach 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.
Michael Kane, an avid diver, is again presenting his $10,000 challenge. Every $100 or more donated to the chamber before May 3 will be matched by Mr. Kane up to $10,000. Contributions can come from individuals or organizations.
All proceeds from the event go to support the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. To sign up for the event, or participate in the Michael Kane Challenge, call (310) 652-4990. Major credit cards are accepted. Requests to be on a specific boat can be made at sign-up.
The Catalina Conservancy Divers is offering a marine species identification class for divers wanting to improve their marine life identification skills. Dr. Bob Given noted marine biologist and former director of the Catalina Marine Science Center will be giving a slide show lecture. This will be the first phase of three phases of a scientific research certification class offered in the Spring and Fall to members of the Catalina Conservancy Divers. Phase II is a slide show quiz on what Dr. Given covers in the lecture, and discussion on data collecting techniques. Phase III is two identification skills check out dives at the Casino Point Underwater Park at Catalina.
Divers completing the three phases will be eligible to participate in the key species I.D. project where data is being collected and monitored at seven dive sites around Catalina Island by the Conservancy Divers. Phase I (Dr. Bob Givens lecture) is open to the general public for those interested in improving their identification skills and increasing their marine species I.D. vocabulary. Reservations are not necessary. There will be a question and answer period following the lecture, and a tour of the aquarium, where the marine organisms that have been discussed can be viewed. Phase I attendance is free, but a $5 donation to the aquarium at the door is suggested. The lecture will be on Saturday, May 6 at 9 a.m. until noon. Participation in Phase II and III require membership in the Catalina Conservancy Divers. For those interested in membership information in the CCD, call Erica at (310) 510-2595 Ext. 114 or for class sign up call Ted at (714) 960-2304, or visit the CCD web site at www.ccd.org. for more details.
May 6 - Sinking of the Yukon off San Diego.
June 3 & 4 - SCUBA Show 2000, Long Beach. (310) 792-2333, www.saintbrendan.com.
