Keys Treasures Blog » Diving

Adios Lobster Casitas & Lobster Mobsters

Keys — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:40:30 +0000

Restorative justice may include casita removalOperation Freezer Burn, a multiyear investigation by state and federal law enforcement agencies, took down two of the most legendary lobster poachers in the Florida Keys, Dave Dreifort, and his wife, Denise. Sentenced to 30 months and seven months respectively, the couple also was ordered to forfeit more than $1 million in property.

In addition to the Dreiforts, the investigation secured four other convictions with sentences ranging from 10 months in prison to a year on parole.A subsequent investigation, dubbed Frost Bite, successfully nabbed two more men who had worked with the Dreiforts in the past, John Buckheim and Nick Demauro, both 23 years old. Each of these men has pleaded guilty and now await their sentences.In the latter case, we have seen something a bit different. Buckheim and Demauro have taken it upon themselves to start undoing some of the harm they have done.In addition to poaching lobsters, much of the case made by the government revolved around illegal lobster habitats, or “casitas.”

These are man-made structures — often old oil drums or discarded appliances — intended to attract lobsters so they can be easily, and illegally, harvested.Tens of thousands of these casitas scattered throughout Florida Keys waters create what many experts consider an ecological disaster, disrupting natural migration patterns and tearing up the sea floor. Removal of the artificial lobster habitats is a major priority for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, but hiring commercial salvors for the job is very expensive.While awaiting their sentencing, Buckheim and Demauro, with the permission of sanctuary officials, have been removing hundreds of the illegally placed casitas from the Gulf of Mexico.

Their motivation is simple: to show they have taken responsibility for their actions and are helping repair the harm they and others have done. And, of course, they hope to curry favor with the judge who will be handing down their sentences.In legal circles, this behavior is referred to as restorative justice.These young men are far from role models, and they certainly should experience consequences for breaking the law. But we cannot help but note that their pre-emptive corrective action contributes to a sense that justice has been better served in this case than in others where the criminals are serving jail time.The debris littering the ocean floor must be removed. It can be done by contractors at considerable taxpayer expense or it can be done at little to no cost by Buckheim and Demauro. We hope the court considers this when considering what sentence best fits the crime — and the public good.–

The Citizen

via Editorial | KeysNews.com.

Dry Tortugas Video

Keys — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:37:04 +0000

This 13-minute video — which can take a while to load, so be patient — is the work of the South Florida National Parks Trust, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It explains the background that led to creation of the natural area, which is hoped to allow fish populations to rebound and to provide a sanctuary if you will for coral reefs, which face threats from anchor damage, degraded water quality, and warming oceans.

Are You Ready For The Spiny Lobster Sport (Mini) Season?

Keys — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:59:51 +0000

Diving for lobster in Florida’s upcoming mini-season can be deadly, warns a leading dive-safety organization.

“Divers get excited and rush to dive without preparation, and most of them are out of shape,” said Petar Denoble, a physician who serves as senior research director for the Divers Alert Network. ”They underestimate the level of exercise required for diving, particularly lobster diving,” said Denoble, author of a recent report published in DAN’s Alert Diver magazine. The past four years have seen 14 divers die during Florida’s annual two-day mini-season — 10 of them in Florida Keys waters, the leading destination for lobster hunters.

In contrast, only six divers died while hunting lobster statewide in the regular eight-month lobster season in the same 2005-08 period. This year’s lobster sport-diving season arrives July 29 and 30.

“Why the higher percentage of deaths in the two-day preseason? Our best guess is that mini-season may be the time many divers take their first plunge of the year,” Denoble wrote. “Or they’ve made relatively few dives thus far and haven’t gotten up to speed on their skills and conditioning…. The underwater chase, frequent ascents and many repetitive dives over the two-day season can take a toll, even on the most experienced divers.” He pointed out that most of the mini-season deaths can be traced to heart problems in divers in their late 40s and older.

There was no evidence that air embolisms, typically responsible for about a third of all diving deaths, caused any of the 20 lobster-related deaths that DAN staff studied. Denoble called that finding “interesting,” but cautioned against drawing broad conclusions from the relatively small number of case studies.

After three divers died in Monroe County waters during the 2005 mini-season, authorities called for increased caution. All three were out-of-county residents; the youngest was 49.

But the 2006 season was even deadlier, with four fatalities.

There were two lobster diving deaths in the Keys last year, after one death in 2007.

Many of the deaths could be linked to those with known medical problems, or who had undiagnosed conditions.

A lobster-season safety campaign was launched this spring to warn divers to check their equipment and be aware of physical demands. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association and DAN prepared the program.

“People who live a sedentary lifestyle must assume they are out of shape,” Denoble said. “Divers may try to chase lobster the same way they did it when they were 25. But at 50, it doesn’t work that way any more.”

Denoble recommended that older divers have regular checkups, and exercise throughout the year.

“Get prepared. You cannot go out and play a game without practice,” he said. “This is your game, and you need to win.”

An estimated 30,000 divers go out for lobster in a typical mini-season, with about 60 percent of them planning to do it in the Keys.

Job Listing – Undersea Research Diver in Key Largo

Keys — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:40:35 +0000

Position Information

Working Title	Undersea Research Diver
Job Title	Scientific Diving Specialist
Job Category:	Marine Science
Position Number	001966
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:	Applicants must be capable of passing an AAUS diving physical examination and swim test upon employment.
Summary of Position	Position is located in Key Largo, Florida. Performs topside and underwater technical support for the Aquarius underwater laboratory. The Aquarius undersea laboratory is a unique tool that is used to support marine science in the Florida Keys. The undersea laboratory is part of a world-class research program; safety is paramount. Services, maintains, and operates all underwater laboratory equipment and support systems (for example, high and low pressure gas systems, life support components, environmental control units). Services and maintains diving equipment, small boats, and diesel and outboard engines. Assists scientists/aquanauts in the accomplishment of underwater tasks.
Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	High School diploma or equivalent, and demonstration of ability to meet certification standards to dive through American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), recreational or military equivalent. All diplomas and degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities	General knowledge and technical skills to effectively and safely carry out previously determined methodologies. Knowledge of basic study design and general diving methods of data collection applicable in scientific operations. Working knowledge of safe scientific diving procedures, practices and standards.
Preferred Qualifications:	Certified SCUBA diver is desirable.
Work Hours	May vary
Work Days	Monday – Friday (Weekends and evenings may be required)
Months Per Year:	12 months
Minimum of Salary Range:	$31,777
Max. Salary Advertised:	$44,773
Salary Grade:	NG
Business need for career banded position:	Contributing
Special Instructions to Applicants	PLEASE NOTE: You will be required to attach a resume to successfully apply for this position. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have completed the ‘Work History’ section of the application before you submit it. For NC State employees with RIF priority re-employment rights, this job is considered a salary grade 68.
Hours Per Week:	40
Job Posting Date	07-14-2009
Job Closing Date	07-22-2009

Apply here

Click here for more Florida Keys Jobs

9 Inch Lionfish Captured on Key Largo Elbow Reef

Keys — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:01:19 +0000

Any doubt about the prevalence of lionfish in Florida Keys waters ended July 5. The largest lionfish yet captured in the Keys — 9 inches total length — was netted at The Elbow Reef off Key Largo. It was the eighth exotic lionfish taken in Keys waters since the first capture in January, an average of better than one a month.

“This was the largest Keys fish so far, and certainly reproductively capable,” said Lad Akins, special projects director at the Reef Environmental Education Foundation. “We’re getting lionfish sightings with more frequency,” said Karrie Carnes, information officer for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

A response team formed by the sanctuary and REEF headed to The Elbow after the big lionfish was spotted around 11 a.m. July 5 by Quiescence Diving Services instructor Chelyn Shaw. Quiescence staff volunteered a boat and crew.

“At 3:30 p.m. the fish was located in exactly the same location as reported,” Akins said. “The fish was first noted resting upside down under a ledge, but during the removal dive it was found hovering over the sand bottom under the ledge, hunting.” It took divers just eight minutes to find and net the fish, the most efficient capture yet, Carnes said.

Lionfish sport an array of feathery plumed spines, all of which pack a strong venom jolt for divers and snorkelers who are stuck. “It hurt so bad I wanted to cut my hand off with a meat cleaver. It’s much worse than an urchin sting,” Bahamas dive operator Bruce Purdy told the Keynoter earlier this year. Treatment with hot water, a common remedy for jellyfish stings, helped make the pain bearable, Purdy said.

However, experts say the primary concern about lionfish is not the threat to humans but the environmental havoc they may wreak. A ravenous, prolific Pacific Ocean species, lionfish do not belong in South Florida. Since lionfish breed rapidly, large populations could wipe out native species and cause major disruptions in the ecological balance at the reef. “They have the potential to impact native fisheries resources that are economically important for commercial fishing and tourism,” said David Morris, a federal biologist. Lionfish apparently have no natural predators in the Atlantic Ocean. The species may have gained a foothold along the coast of the U.S. and the Caribbean when hurricanes flooded aquariums.

Divers and snorkelers who see lionfish should call local reporting hotlines: 852-0030 or 395-8730.

By KEVIN WADLOW
kwadlow@keynoter.com
Posted – Saturday, July 11, 2009 11:01 AM EDT

Dive Flag Awareness Week

Keys — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:24:19 +0000

Gov. Charlie Crist has proclaimed June 27-July 3 as Dive Flag Awareness Week. “It’s time folks pay attention to what a divers-down flag means and to ’steer clear,’ and divers need to make sure they present their flags according to the laws,” said Lt. David Bingham, a state Fish and Wildlife Commission watch commander.

A divers-down flag is red with a white diagonal stripe, at least 20 inches by 24 inches, and flown at a high point, observable 360 degrees around a vessel. A divers-down flag towed on a float must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. Both flags must have stiffeners to hold them open. All vessels must make a reasonable effort to stay at least 300 feet away from the flags in open water or 100 feet away within a river, inlet or channel. Within those prescribed distances, a vessel may operate but must be at idle speed. For more, go to myfwc.com.

During Dive Flag Awareness Week, enforcement details will be expanded around the state with radar guns, and they will issue warnings and citations. “With bay scallop and spiny lobster season just around the corner, we really want to emphasize the importance of engaging all safety precautions.” Bingham said. “If you’re diving, display a flag. If you’re boating, look for the flag.”

Lobster Season PSA

Keys — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:44:07 +0000

A few other safety tips from DAN:

Remember that an underwater hunt strains your body much more than a typical recreational dive.
If you do not exercise vigorously and frequently on land, do not dive if you are not fit for it. Do not hunt underwater.
Do not lobster hunt on your first dive. If you did not have a chance to make some dives before the mini-season, remember that full lobster season starts in August and lasts through March. Use the preseason time to refresh your skills and improve your fitness. By doing this, you will be ready for many safe lobster hunts during the regular season.
Lobster hunting is a serious dive operation, even at a depth of 10 ft (3m). Ensure that the diver in you maintains control over the hunter in you.
Remember, you caught nothing if you did not bring it to the surface and cook it.

For a more in-depth look at dive safety during the mini-lobster season, visit alertdiver.com.

Key Largo Shipwreck Studied

Keys — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:57:49 +0000

About 18 feet underwater off Key Largo lies a mystery ship, one of hundreds in just these waters. It’s cargo, name and destination are unknown. All that remains of the wreck are planks of timber, iron rods and some pieces of coal.

State underwater archaeologist Roger Smith and his team will spend about two weeks mapping the site that has become a bountiful coral reef. In time they will also try to piece together what ship this was, its voyage and whether it should be nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. The work is part of an ongoing effort to take an inventory of Florida’s shipwrecks and artifacts, which number around 300 just off Key Largo alone.

Named the “Marker 39″ wreck for its location just two miles off the coast of Key Largo, the remains hold many clues that could help unlock its secrets. A buoy has marked the spot since 1863, which could help date the shipwreck because it could be when the ship ran aground that people realized the area was dangerous.

Since I don’t have a photo of this wreck I thought you might like to see what else you might see when diving wrecks in the Florida Keys. This photo is by Stig Nygaard.

Iron fasteners held the wood together and from what is left, it looks like it was about 150 feet long. So far, archaeologists are hypothesizing it was a barge because of its long, flat deck. Smith predicts it dates back to the 19th century, when there was a bustling business of carrying cargo, including coal, lumber and manufactured goods, up and down Florida’s coast. It may have been a steam ship because of the iron rods and steam pipes that were found on it.

“The Keys is a trap for ships, always has been, always will be,” he said. “There is all of this maritime history in the Keys. All these shipwrecks represent episodes in that history.” The wreck was found by two volunteers in the 1990s diving along the channel between the shore and the large coral reef that runs parallel to the Keys. Experts say there are about 400 ship groundings a year, some due to captain inexperience, some to weather and changes in water depth.

Smith says that when he dives a wreck, he is always looking for manmade objects to tell the story. This wreck doesn’t have many left. He believes salvors of the 19th century may have beaten him to them. They were otherwise known as wreckers. Some were fishermen and they would wait for a ship to be distress, and then come out and get the goods for a share in the profit. “The law was, if you were the first salvor to negotiate with the captain, you got to be the salvor,” he said.

There is a Florida Master Site File where all the state’s historic sites are given a number for inventory. This wreck will get one too. The group has created a photo mosaic of the site. They will also map out the wreck and shoot video for people who will never dive it. They will then take the pieces of coal they have brought ashore to the Florida Geological Survey and also search in the archival records of admiralty courts to see if they can find out what ship this is. “Sometimes you never do find the name of a ship,” Smith said. The ship itself is not very well-preserved. It’s exposed to the elements and not totally buried. “Part of all this is detective work and making conclusions based on hard evidence,” he said. “You have to let the shipwreck tell its own story. Sometimes it’s tempting to hypothesize what a site might be.”

There are several references to ships going down in the area, said Brenda Altmeier, program support specialist at NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. She says she “can’t help but think of the people aboard … just the fear and panic,” she said.

This project is a partnership between the Division of Historical Resources and the sanctuary. “It’s merging two sciences. it’s biology merging with archaeology,” she said. Senior archaeologist Franklin Price said so far they know it wasn’t a sailing ship. It had no ballast or evidence of rigging to hold up a mast or sails.

Smith said there are many filters archaeologists have to get past when analyzing a wreck, including time, the sea and animals. But the wreck has also become a breeding ground for new life. It is a bustling reef with hard and soft coral and home to many different kinds of fish including a great barracuda, a scorpion fish and even a spotted eagle ray. Part of the effort is also to make sure more people get a chance to snorkel and dive in wrecks off the Keys, said archaeologist Daniel McClarnon.

Smith has also devised a seminar targeted towards people that certify scuba divers to educate them about respecting Florida shipwrecks called The Heritage Awareness Diving Seminar, which is taught around the state at different points during the year. “We find, as archaeologists, that there isn’t any future, it’s just the past repeating itself,” he said.

Ocean Heroes Award Winner…John Halas

Keys — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:23:12 +0000

The contest, launched in early May of this year, was created to honor ocean advocates who have made a difference for the oceans on a local or international level. Out of eight finalists, this year’s winner is John Halas, a marine biologist and manager of the Upper Region of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Few people have done more to protect the world’s coral reefs than John Halas. After observing coral damage caused by careless anchoring, he developed an environmental anchor and mooring buoy system that quickly spread worldwide as marine parks, dive operators, resorts, and private citizens wanted secure moorings to protect their sensitive marine habitats. John has heroically assisted more than 38 countries in efforts to protect corals, provide secure anchorages, and mark sites with moorings.

Halas has been working to protect coral systems in Florida since 1981. After observing coral damage caused by careless anchoring, he took it upon himself to develop an environmentally friendly anchor and mooring buoy system that prevents damage to coral reefs and has worked to implement this anchorage system in 38 countries. “My work is something I have felt strongly about and it is really a great honor to receive this acknowledgement,” Halas said.

As the finalist receiving the most votes, Halas will receive a $500 gift certificate from Oceana’s corporate partner Nautica and a special outgoing voicemail greeting recorded by Oceana board member Ted Danson. Second and third place prizes include an ocean-themed entertainment package and an assortment of Oceana memorabilia.

New Jersey-based Bob Schoelkopf finished second for his work rescuing and rehabilitating seals, dolphins, sea turtles and other marine animals. In 1978, Schoelkopf helped start a program in Brigantine, New Jersey to save stranded sea mammals. The program evolved into the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, which rescues and rehabilitates hundreds of injured marine creatures every year.

Shark expert Andy Dehart earned the third most votes in recognition for his work educating the public about sharks. Dehart is a shark expert who currently works at the National Aquarium in Washington, D.C. and is a Discovery Channel shark advisor. He helps to educate the public on the important role sharks play in the ecosystem and the need to protect them. “Our winners are true ocean heroes,” said Andrew Sharpless, Oceana’s Chief Executive Officer. “Their work results in positive change for our seas, and I hope they inspire others to get involved.”

Nominations were received by mid-May and a final group of eight finalists was selected by a panel of Oceana’s policy, science, advocacy and communications experts. Oceana Wavemakers (online members) voted to select the final winners from mid-May to June 1. Along with Halas, Schoelkopf and Dehart, the other finalists included Girl Scouts and World Oceans Day advocates Chanel Gemini, Nika Kashyap and Sabina Van Tilburg from Hawaii; teenage anti-pollution activist Emily Goldstein from Louisville, KY, South Florida coral reef steward Lynora Indiviglio, legendary ocean educator Jeff “Mr. Fish” Sandler from Maine and Casey Sokolovic, an eleven-year-old grassroots sea turtle activist from North Carolina.

Short bios for all Ocean Hero finalists can be found at: www.oceana.org/heroes

25th Annual Underwater Music Festival – Big Pine Key

Keys — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:01:43 +0000

Forty years after the release of their “Yellow Submarine” album, the Beatles are embarking on another underwater adventure. Divers costumed as the iconic quartet are to star in the 25th annual Underwater Music Festival set for Saturday, July 11, in the waters off the Lower Florida Keys. Divers portraying “Ringo Starfish,” “John Lemon-shark,” “Paul McCarpney” and “George Herringson” are to rock the waters of the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef during the offbeat underwater event, which typically draws as many as 600 divers and snorkelers each year. The submerged songfest is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary south of Big Pine Key. It celebrates the colorful marine life that characterizes the Keys’ unique coral reef ecosystem while encouraging environmentally responsible diving. As well as watching the Beatles pretenders “perform” beneath the sea accompanied by backup singer “Mako Ono,” finned fans might even spot a replica yellow submarine saluting the album’s 1969 release.

Staged by local radio station WWUS 104.1 FM, the fish-friendly festival features the station’s selections broadcast underwater via Lubell Laboratory speakers suspended beneath boats positioned at the reef. The playlist is to include ocean-themed ditties such as Jimmy Buffett’s “Fins,” authentic humpback whale song and, of course, the Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden” and “Yellow Submarine.” Underwater music “afishionados” also plan to jam on aquatic instruments sculpted by Florida Keys artist August Powers. Blending elements of sea creatures and actual instruments, Powers’ creations include a trom-bonefish, manta-lin and drumfish. To draw attention to the underlying message of reef preservation, the musical broadcast incorporates diver awareness announcements featuring tips on enjoying the ocean while minimizing impact on the marine environment.

To participate in the Underwater Music Festival’s 25th anniversary, divers and snorkelers can reserve space aboard boats run by Lower Keys dive operators or launch their own boats from public ramps and local marinas. For information about area dive charters and accommodations, call the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at (800) 872-3722 or (305) 872-2411, or visit www.fla-keys.com or www.lowerkeyschamber.com.

Keys Treasures Blog » Diving

Adios Lobster Casitas & Lobster Mobsters

Related posts

Dry Tortugas Video

Related posts

Are You Ready For The Spiny Lobster Sport (Mini) Season?

Related posts

Job Listing – Undersea Research Diver in Key Largo

Related posts

9 Inch Lionfish Captured on Key Largo Elbow Reef

Related posts

Dive Flag Awareness Week

Related posts

Lobster Season PSA

Related posts

Key Largo Shipwreck Studied

Related posts

Ocean Heroes Award Winner…John Halas

Related posts

25th Annual Underwater Music Festival – Big Pine Key

Related posts