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Rockfish (center) and blacksmith (lower right) populate the reef.
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Pelican Preserve
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Pelican
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Getting into waters infrequently dived or visited by human kind generally means you will see more, a greater natural behavior from the animals, and have a greater abundance of game to hunt.
There are diving locations in Southern California that you can only dive a few times a year—weather permitting. There is one particular location that you can dive only two months out of the year, law permitting.
By the early 1970s, the brown pelican almost disappeared largely due to DDT contamination in the food chain. To protect and observe the brown pelican, the government set aside several breeding locations for protection. Breeding colonies in the Western U.S. are only supported by the Channel Islands—West Anacapa and Santa Barbara Island.
Anacapa Island, the second smallest of all the nine Channel Islands, is actually three separate islands divided by narrow passages of rough, impassible waters. West Anacapa Island, the largest of the three small islands in the Anacapa chain, is designated as a research natural area closed to the public. No landings are allowed here except at Frenchy’s Cove. An area west of Frenchy’s Cove is noted specifically as a brown pelican nesting and fledgling area. There is no entry for this area January 1 through October 31 out to depths of 120 feet. That means that only from November 1 through December 31 divers can dive here, in a spot that is untouched for 10 months out of the year.
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Sea lions
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The sea floor goes untouched for 10 months out of the year, rock scallops grow numerous—and big.
The underwater terrain here is very simple. A sandy or gravel bottom with scattered rock formations. The rocks vary in size from very small rocks in the sand to large boulders the size of big trucks. There is a significant reef structure toward the east end of the preserve where the drop-off is a bit more marked and boulders larger. Kelp can be non-existent to just a little, depending on the time of year.
The first thing you’ll notice as you descend is the abundance of rock scallop—everywhere. You don’t even have to look into the crevices for them. They hang out in the open, many sit on top of rocks waving in the current—come get me. Make sure you choose your scallops carefully. Don’t just grab the first ones you come across. They will range in size from the small ones (the kind you may normally find in other areas) to those that can get as large as eight-inches across.
California Fish and Game regulations allow for a limit of 10 per day and there is no size limit. There is also no season. We highly recommend not taking any rock scallop less in size than the palm of your hand. Because of the abundance of scallops at this site, pick and choose. Make sure you can cleanly take the scallop off the rock. Once you have taken the scallop, it’s yours—you cannot return it to the reef for a larger one. There is no way to reattach it and it will die if left unattended on the bottom. It cannot get up and find a new home.
Although rock scallops are the primary game in the area, there are lobster. Since the opening of the area coincides with lobster season. You are free to take lobster also. Again make sure you abide by the fish and game laws—always. The lobster is not as prevalent, but is worth a try.
For the non-hunter/gatherer, there are many sea lions in the area. As soon as the divers hit the water, the ever-friendly mammals are in your face to play with you. There may be times when you will be concentrating on pulling a scallop and the sea lions will dive-bomb you. They are very friendly and are not trying to keep you from their food source; they do not eat rock scallops.
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Rock scallop
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Dive Spot At-A-Glance
Location: The north side of West Anacapa Island.
Access: Boat Only. November and December ONLY.
Skill Level: All
Depths: 15 -70 feet.
Visibility: Fair.
Hunting: Very good for scallops. Fair to good for lobster. Spearfishing fair for sheephead.
Photography: Poor, not much to photograph other than sea lions.
Hazards: Occasional strong currents. Open to northwest weather.
Suggested Dive Charter Boats Frequently Serving This Area:
Spectre - (805) 483-6612
Peace - (805) 984-2025
Truth/Conception/Vision - (805) 962-1127
Liberty - (805) 642-6655
or see the California Scuba Calendar section of this issue for trips to Anacapa Island.
Kim Sheckler is Executive Editor of California Diving News and Executive Director of the annual SCUBA Show expos based in Long Beach, the largest convention of it's type in the Western U.S. She is also coauthor of the book A Diver's Guide to Southern California's Best Beach Dives, 3rd Edition.
