Catalina Underwater Photo Shootout in the Works

A Catalina-based underwater photo shootout is in the planning stages. Tentative dates for the event are the second weekend in November. Included would be various categories, including novice in which a camera would also be loaned to the participant. Base of the shootout would be Avalon and may include additional activities such as equipment trials, topside photo contest, and a social function. The event would benefit the Catalina Island Mooring Buoy Project. For more information, contact Catalina Scuba Luv at (310) 510-2350.

Ruling on John Denver Crash

Singer-songwriter John Denver crashed his experimental airplane into the near-shore waters of Pacific Grove back in October of 1997. The National Transpiration safety Board just released their findings stating the crash was due to Denver taking off with one of his fuel tanks empty, and the awkward placement of the lever to switch between fuel tanks. Divers still may find small bits and pieces of the plane off the Pacific Grove Beaches.

DFG Reduces Lingcod Limit

At the request of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) the California Department of Fish and Game has reduced the sport bag limit of lingcod from five to two fish. The size limit was raised last summer from 22 inches total length to 24 inches. This move was considered a victory for California sportfishers, since the NMFS advocated closing the lingcod fishery, as was done in Oregon and Washington States.

Tanker Crew Arrested Over Oil Spill

Back in September some 1300 gallons of fuel oil and some four tons of tar balls were cleaned up from the beaches of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The Coast Guard recently arrested the crew of a Liberian-registered tanker and charged them with deliberately dumping the oil. If convicted they could face $750,000 in fines and spend 13 years in prison. This was the first time in Northern California that criminal charges have been filed by Federal lawyers in an environmental case.

No Chocolate Abalone Dive This Year

The popular Chocolate Abalone Dive held annually in Monterey will unfortunately not happen this year. Proceeds from this benefit have in previous years been donated to the non-profit Pacific Grove Hyperbaric Chamber and Diver's Alert Network (DAN).

Event organizer Laurie Huelga stated, "Every year the event has had increased rules placed upon it, as well as having a more difficult time in receiving prizes. The volunteer time involved in organizing the event became too costly, and the limited profit left for donating made the event impossible to justify."

Other reasons for the cancellation included a very poor showing the last two years due to bad weather.

The Chocolate Abalone Dive has been staged annually in March as a benefit event for the last 14 years, largely due to the efforts of Al and Laurie Huelga and the staff of Aquarius Dive Shops in Monterey. They are to be commended for their efforts.

Laurie states, "We are currently working on other ways to raise money for the much needed Pacific Grove Chamber. We sincerely thank the thousands of diver and merchants who have supported us and made the event possible."

The Huelgas welcome any comments or suggestions. Please fax them to Laurie at (831) 375-3051 or e-mail aquarius@montereybay.com.