Farnsworth: Buoys First!
CDN:
The Department of Fish and Game plan to make Farnsworth Bank at Catalina Island a “No-Anchor Zone” to protect the environment. Good idea, but bad timing. Lets make Farnsworth a “no anchor zone” AFTER the mooring buoys are in place. I would like to see my tax dollars spent on putting these buoys in to protect the environment. But, if you close the area first, then there is less motivation to put the buoys in. I have great concerns when I read, “It is unclear as of yet where and when these buoys will be installed or who would be in charge of their installation or maintenance.” (California Diving News, October, 2001). Please also note that the Department of Fish and Game recently cancelled one of their public input meetings.

Bill Maley
via e-mail

Stop Trophy Hunting
Dear Editor,
I’m glad your magazine is so vocal in denouncing the shooting of black sea bass. It’s disheartening that some divers are trying to kill them. In your August News Briefs, however, it was implied that killing such fish is wrong, simply because they can reach seven feet and a quarter ton and because they are endangered. Hey, I agree! But shouldn’t we then, as the diving community, start being more active in discouraging trophy shooting of marlin and tuna and sharks? I know this practice is popular among some divers who have access to power boats and enormous guns, and I know this because they like to brag and post pictures of their trophies on the internet. It seems that some of these hunters also won’t hesitate to kill large sharks in defense of their subdued trophies and then post photos of them on the internet as well. There needs to be a respected limit to the degree of killing done by sport divers because we have to be careful with our remaining natural resources and wonders.

I look forward to your next issue.

Sincerely,
Alastair Bland,
San Francisco

More Suggestions on Being a Better Dive Buddy
Hi Dale,
I enjoy the California Diving News, and keep all the articles on dive locations. I especially enjoyed your article on “Being a Good Buddy.” As an instructor, here are a few more ideas:
• Meet with your buddy to discuss logistics and equipment prior to the dive.
• Keep your equipment in good condition and use only quality equipment.
• Be on time to meet.
• Help your buddy with equipment and suit up prior to dive.
• Always do a safety check prior to every dive, even if you are familiar with their equipment.
• Always enter and exit the water together.
• Stay close enough to your buddy that you can help him if necessary.
• If you must surface, tell your buddy before you leave him.
• Visually check for your buddy often.
• Remind buddy of the time and depth limits.
• Remind buddy of the turn around air limit.
• Point out interesting things to your buddy.
• Bring extra supplies and parts for your equipment and your buddies.
• Take advanced classes to learn rescue and emergency first aid.
• Dive often to keep your personal skills sharp.

Ken Napior
via e-mail

Impressed by Sea Bass, Catalina
Dear Dale:
WOW!!! My better half Ginny and I have just returned from a great trip to Catalina. We go a couple of times a year but this last trip was excellent!

We are so impressed with Catalina Divers Supply and their boat “Scuba Cat” that we use them exclusively. The captain, Dave ‘knows’ the spots to hit and surprised us with a major black sea bass (giant sea bass Stereolepis gigas) dive. Not to be topped, he brought us to an area LOADED with soupfin sharks (Galeorhinus zyopterus)! We couldn’t believe our eyes. Ron, the dive master, gave us excellent information about the sites and a great briefing on the species to look for.

On the heels of recent articles about Black Sea bass around Catalina, I wanted to express my enjoyment of seeing these massive fish up close, in the wild, and most of all personal. Dave and Ron allowed us to see what other contributors to your column have seen. I too had noticed ‘marks’ on the side of one fish which looked as though it was caused by a spear.

Don’t get me wrong, I am an avid hunter/gatherer but I also know the limits of sustainable fisheries and the harm caused by violating them.

Thank you for your publication, I’m sure that it has opened the eyes of many, as it has for me.

Sincerely,
Kevin Bentz
Birch Aquarium at Scripps, San Diego, CA
via e-mail

Male or Female Lingcod?
CDN:
I read with interest the lingcod information written by Bruce Watkins on your site. I do, however have a question for him. How does a diver tell the male lingcod from the female? If you would be so kind as to pass this question on to him I would appreciate it very much. Thanks in advance.

Claire Acord
via e-mail

Claire:
I, for one, can’t tell unequivocally just by looking. The animal guarding the nest is the male by its behavior. If you see two animals together in foreplay or mating, the male is usually the smaller of the two. The only way I know for sure is to dissect them and look for male or female reproductive organs.

Bruce Watkins

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