Catalina Safari Dive & Hike Photo Contest
November 19-21 benefiting the Catalina Mooring Project

The weekend of November 19-21 will see a photo contest in which everybody can participate, even if you've never taken a picture before. The Catalina Safari Dive and Hike Photo Contest is a brand new annual event that promises to be fun for all while benefiting a worthy cause: the Catalina Mooring Project (CMP).

It is the first contest of its kind to take place on Catalina Island. It is also unique to the West Coast. Participants will be given one roll of 24- exposure color print film and about a day to expose it. But what really makes the contest unique are the four division levels, including a "Point & Shoot Novice" for the rank beginner. No photography expertise, or even a camera, is needed to participate! In the "Point & Shoot Novice" division, a disposable point and shoot land camera is provided for you.

In addition to the multiple divisions, there are also a number of categories in which to win. There are categories for wildlife, marine life, the diver, macro underwater photography and open categories for humor and a team "give me 5" category. With the exception of the macro underwater photography, all categories are open to both land and underwater photos, hence the name of the contest: Catalina Safari Dive and HIKE Photo Contest. With "Point & Shoot Novice" division providing a camera, combined with the acceptance of land photography, this a photo contest in which everybody can participate, even children!

Contestants are encouraged to participate in an entire weekend of activities. Friday evening the contest judges will present a seminar of photo tips and techniques for winning. Participants will be updated on local conditions and final contest details. Film can be picked up after the seminar and the contest begins.

Contestants can also pick up their film on Saturday morning, either at the Catalina Cruises dock as they board a special boat just for participants, or in Avalon.

The contest ends at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon. All film must be turned in by this time. Participation in the contest includes film processing. Shutter-clickers are then invited to an evening social at Avalon Live! with drinks and snacks provided compliments of Coors and Vons.

Contestants will pick up processed film on Sunday morning and the review and select entries for judging. An awards show will follow with over $10,000 in prizes to be given away. A few of noteworthy prizes include an Atomic regulator, Sea & Sea underwater camera, Canon camera and lens, trips, and jewelry.

Entry fee is $65 ($75 late registration) for individuals. An additional $30 is required for a Team entry (in addition to each individuals entry). Tickets for the Saturday evening social are $25 each.

Beneficiary of the event is the not-for-profit Catalina Mooring Project. Catalina Island is one of the most heavily used islands in the world by pleasure craft. Every time an anchor hits the sea floor off Catalina Island, damage is done, particularly to fragile reef animals and kelp forests. It is the goal of the CMP to reduce the amount of anchor damage by installing permanent mooring buoys over particularly vulnerable reefs around Catalina Island. Rather than anchoring, boaters would instead have the option to tie up to the mooring buoys. Use of the buoys would be voluntary, time limited, and in no way restrict the use of anchors should the boater choose to do so.

Mooring buoys have been used to successfully protect coral reefs from anchor damage for over two decades in tropical locations. While Catalina's reefs are not as delicate as coral reefs, and recover much quicker, repeated anchor use at some of Catalina's more popular locations has done substantial, long-term damage, particularly to Catalina's limited hard corals and gorgonians, a slow-growing soft coral.

Two buoys have been successfully installed thus far. Over two dozen are needed immediately and another two dozen planned. Estimated cost per buoy installation is $2,000, with approximately $500 per buoy per year for maintenance.

Long term preservation of the Catalina reefs is a priority and these buoys are necessity to achieve that goal. Every time an anchor hits the reef it's like small bomb going off. Recovery of that damaged spot may take a few days, weeks or even months. Repeat that damage over and over and these spots may never recover. Mooring buoys are a must!

Even if you can't participate in the photo contest, you are encouraged contribute to the program as a responsible diver that cares about the Catalina marine environment.

For more information on the Catalina Safari Dive & Hike Photo Contest or the Catalina Mooring Project, call 310-510-7270 or visit the contest website at www.safaridive.com.

The Catalina Mooring Project is not without controversy. Even though mooring buoys used over coral reefs have been successful for over two decades, they also were not without opponents. The CMP mooring buoys will NOT restrict your diving activities at Catalina Island in any way shape or form. Here are some of the myths and truths:

• MYTH: You will no longer be able to anchor at Catalina Island and must use mooring buoys exclusively.

You can continue to use anchors wherever you have in the past, including the locations where a mooring buoy exists. You may even choose to use an anchor in combination with the buoy. The mooring buoy is simply an option; an alternative for you to chose a less destructive method of securing your boat. And they are easier and safer to use than an anchor!

• MYTH: If a boat is using a mooring buoy over a particular reef, nobody else can anchor there.

Again, as long as it is safe, anyone can continue to anchor over a reef that has a mooring buoy. It is only meant and as an option to reduce anchor damage, not to eliminate anchor use.

• TRUTH: The CMP mooring buoys can be used by anyone, free of charge.

The buoys are funded privately through the non-profit corporation. Funds are raised by donations and fund-raisers. Anyone: divers, sportfishers, private and charter boats can use the buoys. Although individual buoys can be sponsored, with names of individuals or a group on the buoy, no one person or individual will have proprietary use rights over the buoy. Use is first, come, first served. The only limitation is time. Use of CMP buoys is limited to two hours with no overnight stays.

• MYTH: Mooring dive and fishing boats over the same spot over and over will do damage to the location.

This, unfortunately, already happens. The difference is with the CMP buoy boats will no longer need to anchor on these spots, thus at least reducing that damage. Reducing diver damage will come with diver education. There are coral reefs at popular destinations that are visited by thousands of divers a week. Because of diver education, however, these reefs remain healthy. The same needs to be done for popular Catalina dive spots.

• TRUTH: There is a boat size limit on the buoys.

The size limit on most buoys will be quite large. Some buoys will be obviously limited by the fact that they will be close to shore (you need to allow room for the boat to "swing" in the current and wind). CMP buoys in other more open locations will accommodate boats of up to 100 feet in length, more than large enough to take a large dive charter boat.

Dale Sheckler is editor and publisher of California Diving News and coauthor of the book Southern California's Best Beach Dives.