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Appeals Court Rules Against Long-Line Fishing
Long-line fishing boats may no longer operate off the California Coast after a federal appeals court has ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the Endangered Species Act by allowing long-line fishing. These boats use monofilament lines up to 30 miles long that carry thousands of hooks and inadvertently snare critically endangered leather back turtles as well as other kinds of sea turtles and birds.
Another Good Reason to Get in Shape
The Divers Alert Network database for the years 1990-95 identified 66 fatalities. In 12 percent of these, cardiovascular disease was the immediate cause of death. Of those who were 35 years of age and older, the percentage of fatalities that could be attributed to cardiovascular disease increased to 26 percent.
Jellies Swarm; Giant Sea Bass at Casino Pt.; Triggerfish at Catalina
The upper 15 feet of the sea at Point Lobos was recently invaded by thousands of jellyfish. Although not as numerous and smaller in size, jellies also have appeared in large numbers drifting with the currents over the Farnsworth Bank pinnacles off the backside of Catalina Island.
Also on Catalina Island, four giant black sea bass have been cruising through Casino Point near Avalon. Black sea bass are known to hang around a particular area for weeks at a time. They are likely to continue to visit through October.
Warm surface water temperatures have lured semi-tropical species into temperate California waters. Triggerfish have been seen off Catalina!
White Point Access Restricted
Parking at Issei Cove at White Point, the most common entry point for this popular dive site, is now prohibited. In the past, divers would access water’s edge with their vehicles by driving off the pavement along a dirt road a short distance to the cove and parking there. Divers will now have to park on the pavement and then walk approximately 100 yards to the entry point. White Point was the only point along the Palos Verdes Peninsula where you could park right at the entry point.