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Great Conditions in No. CA
NorCal divers were treated to some great early spring diving with visibility in the 50-foot range and lots of interesting critters. Better than average weather during the first few days of abalone season produced good results, and this year’s opening day of salmon season was the best in many years.
Bat Rays Abundant, Big
Bat rays are a common sight diving California waters but 2002 is shaping up to be a banner year for observing these magnificent underwater creatures. Rays are being seen on nearly every dive, often in multiples. In addition, many of the rays seen are very large with "wing spans" of 5 feet or more.
Monterey Health Warning
An alert has been posted by the Monterey County health department. Sardines, anchovies, crabs and shellfish have high levels of domoic acid in Monterey Bay. Authorities advise not to harvest or eat them. Domoic acid is responsible for the human illness known as amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) and is caused by eating seafood containing the toxin. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal cramps within 24 hours of ingestion. In more severe cases, neurological symptoms develop within 48 hours and include headache, dizziness, confusion, disorientation, loss of short-term memory, motor weakness, seizures, profuse respiratory secretions, cardiac arrhythmia, coma and possibly death.
For information see: http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/health/beaches.