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Additional Hazard at Pt. Dume Dive Site
Point Dume in Northwest Los Angeles County (near Malibu) is a spectacular and rewarding but challenging beach dive. With a deep submarine canyon, plunging surf and counter currents, this is a dive reserved for the advanced diver—but worth it. Add another hazard, however, to your list. Fishing line and net has been reported at some of the 40 feet deep reefs. It is just for such a reason that divers should always carry a sharp knife or cutting tool. Entanglement hazards can occur almost anywhere, on any dive. A quality cutting tool, specially made for use in the water, is a must on every dive.
Sewage Outfalls Along the Sonoma Coast?
Santa Rosa City officials will soon vote on whether or not to pursue a massive new waste water outfall on California’s spectacular Sonoma Coast. This new sewage pipe could dump up to 18 million gallons of effluent into Sonoma County’s clean coastal waters every day. The city’s controversial proposal calls for construction of a five-foot diameter waste water pipeline, discharging secondary treated effluent into the ocean via a nearshore outfall at a water depth of 80-100 feet. Check out http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/sonoma_coast for more information.
Ab Season Slow Start
Rain and big seas kept abalone divers away from the coast in the early part of the season that began on April 1. Weather is, however, improving. This season’s abalone regulations are unchanged from last year; daily bag and possession limit of 3 and a punch card that allows no more than 24 per season.
Lobster Navigation
All good serious lobster hunters know that lobsters move around. Where there might be a large congregation one week will be empty the next. Do they just move at random? New studies on Caribbean spiny lobsters (similar to our own spiny lobster) indicated that they have a strong “homing-beacon,” giving them an excellent sense of direction. It is has been demonstrated that this is directly related to the earth’s magnetic field.