Hot Spot, Big Bugs

The Anderson's Dive Shop and I went on the Peace dive charter out of Ventura, CA. The Peace boat headed for the Channel Islands for three days of great diving. With a very courteous crew, good food and two knowledgeable captains, Eric Bowman and Fidel Luna. The captains constantly put us on good bug country. I have enclosed a picture showing a sample of the quality bugs "harvested" during the three days. From left to right Jim "wrong way" Tway, Andy Anderson, and Steve "Monster" Combie. All close to 9.5 lbs. On one dive Jim Tway came back to the boat with 2- 9.5 pounders, 1-7.5 pounder and a 5-lb. bug in one bag. WOW!! 31.5 lbs. of lobster thermidor!! YUMMY! I guess Jim went the right way this time! Good job, Jim.

Thanks again,
Jim "Woody" Woodworth

Rebuttal on Tech Rebuttal;
Other Nitrox Boats Missed

I wanted to counter some of the themes in your rebuttal to Mike. First off, all dives are decompression dives, and especially those beyond 60 ft. You say it is reckless to do planned deco dives without a chamber. I'm inclined to think it is equally reckless to dive to the NDL limit at 120 ft. Yet people on LA charters do that all the time. When anyone starts to feel symptoms, they're given O2 and sent off as soon as possible. That's just a risk of the sport. A significant number of people suffer what are referred to as undeserved hits. Yet we still have people dive without chambers.

You are incorrect in naming the Lois Ann as the only boat filling nitrox on board. Both the Cypress Sea and the newer Cypress Point (of Monterey) do so. The CS started doing so, sometime in 1996. You are correct in saying that few divers are willing to lug multiple tanks on board. I'm still surprised that one must bring a tank to virtually every charter boat in LA. I would appreciate a list of boats that "barely tolerate" divers who bring their EAN tanks on board. My wallet barely tolerates them.

Last, while there aren't too many "technical" dive spots, there are a few. More important, however, is the value it has on a multi-dive day. When using nitrox on the typical three-tank charter to Carmel, I don't have to make trade-offs in bottom time between dives one and two anymore. The added boost in NDL is just enough that I can dive as I like and still stay well clear of the red on the computers. And yes, I really do feel less tired when we get back to dock.

Jason O'Rourke
jorourke@jor.com, www.jor.com

CDN:

Just picked up a copy of the last issue your diving magazine. Noticed an article in there regarding nitrox. I got nitrox certified on the Sand Dollar several years ago. Since then, I have been diving on that boat quite a few times and have always been able to get oxygen-clean nitrox fills on board. I am ANDI certified but they also are IANTD certified. So if you could let your readers know that there is another boat besides the Lois Ann that does on-board fills, I would appreciate it because I know you strive to have the most up-to-date information for your readers. Thanks in advance.

Betty Ekmanian
Palm Desert, CA

 Author of Diver Disturbance Report Speaks Out

Editor:

I am the primary author of the report "Diver Disturbance in Kelp Forests." Given the controversy surrounding this report, I would like to respond to some of the comments in your publication (Sanctuary Considering Action on 'Diver Damage' in the "Heard Through the Kelp Vine" section, January 1999, page 23). We estimated the frequency of diver-environmental interactions within a kelp forest and commented on potential effects of the interactions. Divers of all levels were followed at various beaches within the proposed "Ed Ricketts Marine Park." Divers observed were those who happened to be entering the water when we were. While this is not strictly random, there is no obvious bias.

It has been argued by some that divers do not disturb the environment. This is clearly wrong and our results show diver disturbance can be frequent. Are these disturbances ecologically significant? We discuss the potential, but the answer is unknown.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) has been criticized for supporting the study. MBNMS is an outstanding institution and perhaps the most successful marine sanctuary in the world. MBNMS has no interest in extracting fees (strongly rejected in 1994) and is not the institution proposing the marine park. MBNMS is interested in impacts to the sanctuary environment.

The reaction by some members of the diving community to the study is disheartening. Pointing fingers at other sanctuary users but refusing to acknowledge the potential impacts from sport divers (an increasing population) sets a poor precedent. Why is it that divers can blame harvesters and fishermen for environmental damage but it is "ludicrous" to examine potential effects of divers? Statements like, "As divers, this should have you hopping mad" are misleading. As divers, we especially should be environmentally aware of impacts from our activities, and welcome suggestions for protecting the environment. At least, we should be willing to engage in rational debate on the issues.

Tim Schaeffer
via e-mail

Editor's note: A complete copy of the report can be found at http://205.155.38.2/resourcepro/diver_report.html on the web.

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