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Volusia County, Florida
In their infinite wisdom county officials have mandated a countywide manatee zone. Officials have agreed to a directive from the U.S. Department Fish and Game. All waters within the county are now Idle Speed no wake zones. It is like putting your car in gear without ever being able to press the accelerator. This means a 5-10 minute ride to the inlet from the nearest boat ramps now takes 35-45 minutes. Marinas in Daytona and New Smyrna will see there revenues dwindle as boat owners will move their craft to areas without such restrictions.
The marina, boating, fishing and dive industries have been dealt a serious blow with the cost of fuels doubling. This latest mandate may be the knockout punch to the areas marine related economy.
Perhaps we should just ban all people from enjoying Florida waters. Better yet ban all people from the State of Florida itself. Eventually the environment would recover. Oh yes, industry would also need to be shut down along the Mississippi as well.
We believe the preservation of endangered species like the manatee is a very worthy goal. That said common sense needs to prevail. Prop guards are a viable alternative. Jet drive boats don't pose the same threat. Many areas never see a manatee in the winter. Lets use some common sense guys!!
Why do they call it Earth when it is covered with ocean?
WHAT IT TAKES
So you think you want to be a diver. Let's see if you have what it takes.
Answer the following questions.
1. Do you like to have fun with your adventure?
2. Does the ocean call to you like a lost lover?
3. Does the idea of socializing with good people in beautiful locations sound good?
4. Can you commit the small amount of time and resources to discover this planet Ocean?
5. Would you like to share your adventures with family and friends?
6. The marine environment is fragile, will you be an ambassador for the environment?
7. Can you control your excitement when you experience paradise (optional)?
If you answered yes to some of these questions, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
(FUN) 717-0012
STATE OF THE OCEANS
It was a beautiful morning as we arrived at the marina. The trip had been planned for months. What could be greater than a tropical vacation away from the snow and gloom of the city? Several new pieces of equipment would be christened. A new dive computer would be checked out. Our new digital camera system would record our adventure. We boarded the boat with peaked anticipation.
On the way out everyone assembled and checked their gear. The normal dive briefing was given by the divemaster. Entry and exit procedures, site briefing, safety equipment, buddy procedures and decontamination methods were covered.
Today’s dive would be on Remnant Reef. Once on site we entered the water. Upon descent we noticed the visibility was good, nearly 10’. We approached the bottom to find what we came for. The limestone formations of the once living coral reef gave testament to the grandeur that once was. We scoured through the algae covered limestone looking for crabs. After several pictures, all to soon our dive was over and we started to ascend.
Once back on the boat we disinfected and showered down. What a great dive, what a great day!
So what is going on here? Are these people crazy? Who would like a dive like that?
Unfortunately the conditions we dive in today have deteriorated so much, it is as if those that dove our current sites 10 to 20 years ago were diving the fictional Remnant Reef mentioned above today.
Consider the following:
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Global warming is causing widespread coral bleaching.
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The last staghorn coral reef in North America is presently dieing off Ft. Lauderdale.
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All live coverage in the Florida Keys is down to less then 10%, with some areas down to 1 – 2%.
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Sewage treatment plants release water that is safe for humans, however it kills corals and other organisms.
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The increasing array of coral diseases look like land pathogens, not marine.
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95 – 99% of the coral in the Indian Ocean is now dead.
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Most coral in the Great Barrier Reef and the South Pacific died last year.
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Cold currents around the world are slowing down.
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The size of all food species around the world are down significantly.
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Food chains and fisheries around the world are collapsing
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If all greenhouse release stop now, warming would continue for at least 150 years.
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It would take 1000 years for the deep oceans to return to normal.
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It would take thousands of years for nutrient levels to return to normal.
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Fisheries may never recover as opportunistic species take over.
These facts attest to the increasing ocean temperatures worldwide as recorded by NOAA, the increasing ocean nutrients stressing corals, and the worldwide over harvesting of the worlds fisheries. The human infestation of the Earth is the cause. All present natural corals will die!!! All major food fisheries will die!!! Our beloved oceans have been scheduled by us for sterilization!!
How is it this could happen? Why aren’t there huge numbers of outraged divers and the general public protesting? The answer is called a “sliding baseline”. If you were born without sight how could you determine the loss? Today a 100lb. swordfish is considered good. Fisherman 100 years ago threw the undersized 700 pound fish back. A coral reef with 10% live coverage is considered good diving today. Divers that dove these sites 20 – 30 years ago would considered it a disaster.
Do we just give up? Is this just the way it is? Can anything be changed? There are things we can do. Spread the word. Educate everyone you know about what is going on. Find out more information about environmental issues. Become involved and volunteer with environmental groups. Use your dollars and donate to organizations making a difference. Stop supporting organizations with bad environmental histories. Cast you votes where they count. Make the politicians hear us.
The next time you’re on the water or diving think about how it could be. Don’t give up. It is a fight worth fighting.
Capt. Don Draper M.Ed. NAUI #9101, PADI #16034
Here are some links for more information:
http://www.coralreefalliance.org/
http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov/edu/ocean.html
http://www.motherjones.com/news/special_reports/1994/07/steinhart.html
Dr. Tom Goreau goreau@bestweb.net
Beach Driving Report & Cam
http://volusia.org/beach/smyrna.htm
FREE INTRODUCTIONS AND DISCOVERIES
Come join us for a free intro to kayaking or free scuba discovery. Just call and make your reservations now!! FUN-717-0012
EQUIPMENT SALES
Since we are your online dive shop, we now offer a wide variety of equipment at competitive rates. We access several retail inventories for your best selection and savings. You get full warranties and professional non-biased consultation. Due to territorial restraints, not all brands can be shipped. Contact us for prices and availability.
We are now a dealer for IST, OS Systems, Whites and others. We offer a variety of top quality name brand equipment at on-line savings. Stay tuned as we update our site for your best savings on quality equipment.
KAYAK TRIPS
EXTREMEWET's annual kayak surf contest scheduled for July at Ponce Inlet, FL. Interested parties are invited to contact reddiver@netzero.net.
EXPEDITIONS: Coastal kayak expedition set for July 1st - 7th. We will leave Daytona and head south along the Atlantic Coast. We will pass through some of the most diverse wildlife areas in Florida. Expeditions will last 7 Days. Quality lodging and dining will be provided at night to ensure rest and recovery. Kayaks and general provisions will be included (local kayakers with their own boats are welcome to join us at reduced cost). These trips generally conclude in the West Palm Beach area. Note: Be physically prepared!
Brand new Ocean Kayaks have been added to our fleet. Top of the line Scrambler XT's and Malibu's are now available for trips, tours and training here at EXTREMEWET Watersports.
LINKS
General Information Resources
American Academy of Underwater Sciences - Leaders in underwater research: www.aaus.org
Diving Medicine Online: www.gulftel.com/~scubadoc/freestf.html
Dive Web - Commercial Diving & Marine Technology Resources: www.diveweb.com
Excellent information resource for divers: deeperblue.net
Florida Scuba Connection: www.florida-scuba.com
Marine Lab: www.mrdf.org/mits.htm
Mermaid Art: www.iit.edu/~moelcra/mermaid.html
Ocean Futures - Jean-Michel Cousteau's environmental awareness forum: www.oceanfutures.com
Certifying Agencies
ANDI - American Nitrox Divers International: www.andiha.com
HSA - Handicapped Scuba Association: www.hsascuba.com
IANTD - International Association of Nitrox and Technical Diving: www.iantd.com
NAUI - National Association of Underwater Instructors: www.naui.org
PADI - Professional Association of Diving Instructors: www.padi.com
NACD - National Association for Cave Diving: www.safecavediving.com
NSS-CDS - National Speleological Society, Cave Diving Section: www.cave.org/section/cds
GUE - Global Underwater Explorers: www.gue.com
Freediving
Megan Heaney-Grier & Manny Puig - Megan is the U.S. women's freediving champion, Manny is her trainer and Florida's version of the Crocodile Hunter: www.freediver.com
Pipin Production - Home of the present world record holder in freediving: www.freediving.net
Zen of Freediving - excellent training techniques are shared: www.sfdl.com
Periodicals
Florida Scuba News: www.scubanews.com
Freediving Magazine: www.freediving-mag.com
Rodale's Scuba Diving: www.scubadiving.com
Immersed: www.immersed.com
Advanced Diver Magazine: www.advanceddivermagazine.com
South Florida Dive Journal (very self righteous): www.sfdl.com
COMMENTARY
Shark Feeding Banned In Florida
As of January 1st, 2002 all diver shark feeding activities have been banned in Florida waters, The state legislature in its' infinite knee jerk mentality has dealt an economic blow to the already ailing tourist industry. Last seasons widely publicized shark attacks have now been officially blamed on this popular diving activity.
The proponents of the ban state that shark feeding has brought sharks closer to shore and reduced the natural fear that sharks have. They fail to mention that the inshore ban on net fishing has caused dramatic increases in the concentration of schooling fish close to shore (sharks are natures balance). They fail to mention that the attacks where on swimmers and surfers (no divers at all). They fail to mention that there is no ban on recreational chumming for sharks close to shore.
For those of you who have experienced a shark encounter you know how profound an experience you had. These ancient majestic creatures sharing their ocean realm is an unforgettable experience. The boundaries of misunderstanding and fear where dissolved.
Fortunately these activities still go on in areas other than Florida. There are also shark encounter opportunities off Jupiter. Recently a spot had been located where large lemon sharks tend to gather. If this alternative interests you please contact us. If you oppose the shark feeding ban contact you local congressman.
Shark Attacks Bring Wildlife Opportunities
Misunderstood shark attacks bring wildlife encounter opportunities just south of Daytona in an area known as Ponce Inlet. The biannual migration of bait fish has led to a flurry of hit and run shark attacks on surfers. These type of attacks account for the accurate reputation this area has for having the highest incident of shark attacks in the world. For those in the know this offers unparallel opportunities for wildlife encounters. Check out our Spring migration encounter.
April 29th, 2001
This is in response to the recent shark attack commentaries that have referenced the area just south of Ponce Inlet in Volusia County. If you're unfamiliar with the area you might call this Daytona. Twice a year we get the chance to experience and interact with swarms sharks, large pods of dolphins, and dozens of elusive mantas. This years experience was one of the best ever. The "mistaken identity" attacks on the surfers compelled the Beach Patrol to post hazardous marine life warning signs along the beach. We run kayak adventure tours in the area. This past April the conditions were perfect. Light winds, small surf, weak southerly current, great visibility and no one in the water. We spotted huge schools of mullet swimming south from the inlet.
This time we slipped into the water with mask, fins, and snorkel, for a closer view. We weren't disappointed. Soon we were surrounded by a spectacle to rival any wildlife encounter on the planet. Streams of mullet flashed by being chased and devoured by rocket-like dolphin. All this while flocks of pelicans dive-bombed from above. Close to the bottom spinner sharks picked off wayward baitfish. The underwater action became frantic. We exited to the surface back onto our ocean kayaks, as the spectacle continued. We watched several more groups from the surface and in the water.
I even had a baby dolphin jump over the bow (front) of my kayak. They seemed to enjoy showing off their superior water skills. They even followed us to jump, splash and exhale their fishy breath on us. Soon we noticed smaller dark patches farther out. They moved differently then the dark patches of baitfish close to shore. On approach I wasn't sure what it was. While I was over one of them a large fin rose up nearly three feet out of the water on my port (left) side. Out of the corner of my eye one rose up on my starboard (right). I immediately knew the ocean was going to spice up my day's experience. The mantas were in. The gentle giants majestically cruised about our kayaks returning again and again to check us out. They displayed their cephalic lobes as they turned upward to get a closer look. Once we were sure they felt comfortable with us we slipped into the water the check them out. What a thrill, what an experience!! Words can't describe the surrealistic feeling and non-threatening communication between our two species. No physical contact, just visual, eye-to-eye.
In what seemed like a few minutes three hours had passed, we covered over three miles. We headed back to our launch site by the inlet. On the way back in we spotted more pelicans diving and dolphins surging up through the swarms of baitfish. We knew the ocean had provided a rare treat.
Most people fear the water here during these times. We know it is a great opportunity for up close observation if you're careful and respectful. Some people feel that humans should not be up close to marine mammals and other majestic creatures of the sea. They act as if we are aliens to this planet. It is true we as a species have a great impact on the Earth. But it isn't the caring naturalist or ecotourist that has a detrimental effect on the environment. It is the agricultural runoff, the diversion of natural watersheds, over fishing by foreign commercial fishing interest, and the multitude of environmental pollutants throughout the world, and the unbridled use of our limited non-renewable resources by the human population explosion that is hurting the Earth.
The politicians divert public attention from the true causes by making accusations and proposing laws that limit or tax public access in the name of conserving the environment. Of course their real purpose is to obtain votes and protect their party contributors.
Think about it. Enjoy the resources and freedoms we have left.
Capt. Don Draper M.Ed. NAUI #9101, PADI #16034
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