Ocean Explorers
Society
December 2001
Sponsored by Ocean Enterprises
Calendar
There is no regular meeting this month.
| December 8 | Christmas Party | December 22 | Morning dive at La Jolla Cove |
Contents
Monthly
Meeting
There is no meeting this
month. Members should have recieved their invitations to the Christmas
Party.
From
the President
Happy Holidays! Our beach dive
last month was killed by some of the largest waves of the year.
If you are a surfer you should take days off when club dives are
scheduled! Due to lack of interest no one went on the Channel
Islands trip, we will reschedule a trip early next year. I hope
to see all of you at the Christmas get together, it is one of
the events each year where all of us converge for fun. See you
at the party. -- Mark Clausen
Shore
Diving
Morning Dive: Saturday
Dec 22, 8:00am for the "first dive of winter". Meet
at La jolla cove @ 8:00 to dive the best spot. Breakfast will
follow.
Boat
Dives
There is no boat dive planned
for this month.
Flotsam
I'd like to take this opportunity
to wish everyone a very happy holiday season. We've had a good
2001, and I hope 2002 will be even better.
California Department Fish and Game (DFG) came to the SD Council of Divers meeting on November 13th to talk about the current status of their Marine Reserve program. There have been some major changes since their initial proposal. First of all, the deadlines for defining the areas have been moved out to January 2003. The extension will give DFG more time to define the reserve baoundaries, and the level of protection they'll recieve. Their proposal is more than just a group of marine preserves. There are varying levels of protection which range from vary little, to a full-scale no-take zone. They have been carefully considering suggestions and alternate proposals for reserve areas. DFG's process in implementing the MPLA is as open as any I've ever seen in state government. However, this openness means that we all have to participate if we want a voice in the way the MPLA gets implemented.
The Marine Life Protection Act (MPLA) is the most important piece of marine legislation to come along in the last 20 years. If we divers sit and do nothing, then the commercial sportfishing interests are going to have the dominant voice in these proceedings. The SDCD is will be taking a lead position in presenting divers' point of view, but we need to learn enough to make intelligent input for the SDCD and DFG processes. I'll be providing current information future newsletters. Even if you don't normally go to the SDCD meetings, come to the next 2 or 3 so they can get your input on these important issues.
San Diego
Council of Divers
The next SDCD meeting is Tuesday,
December 11, at 7:00 pm in the Sumner Auditorium, Scripps Institution
of Oceanography. Dr. Paul Dayton will speak on the science of
marine life reserves and the MLPA Dr. Dayton is with SIO. he is
currently heading up the La Jolla Reserve study. This should be
an excellent opportunity to learn about the marine life preservation
areas and the proposals being considered by Californa Dept. of
Fish and Game.
Exhibit at Stephen
Birch Aquarium
There is something new to see at the aquarium's kelp
tank these days: a 5-minute multimedia show entitled "Ghost
Forest" (with supplementary wall panels, which will provide
further information.)
"Ghost Forest" is a term coined by Mia Tegner and Paul Dayton to characterize the sharp decline in size and abundance of the megafauna (large animals) in our local kelp forests. Paul and Mia's research has been incorporated into a multimedia presentation that plays every 15 minutes in the kelp tank area. The "Ghost Forest" show begins with a nostalgic look back by Jim Stewart at the abundance and immense size of marine life that once flourished in coastal waters, pointedly discusses the drastic reduction of the kelp forest's megafauna, examines reasons for the observed declines, briefly describes current methods of marine resource management, and introduces a science-based strategy for improving ocean management that includes the creation of a network of areas where entire ecosystems are completely protected from resource extraction of any kind. These protected areas are called marine reserves.
"Ghost Forest" was made possible by a grant from the Kenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris Foundation and is dedicated to world-class kelp forest ecologist, and ocean advocate, Mia Tegner, who served as an advisor on the exhibit. Paul Dayton was also instrumental in the development of this piece.
Lobster Poacher Sentenced
Marc Sosnowski agreed to a plea bargain with the City Attorney's
Office -- so the case will not be going to trial. (Remember that
this is the guy who was caught a couple years ago in the LJ Reserve
with about 100 poached lobster, received a very small sentence,
and was caught again this year with about 100 poached lobster.
He was, apparently (from evidence in the case), doing this very
regularly.)
His sentence this time was much stronger: 180 days in jail, but as work furlough. This means that if he's not at work, he's in jail; plus about $15,000 in fines, and 3 years probation. A key condition of his probation is that he cannot fish or dive. If you see him in the ocean with dive gear - or even a mask and snorkel - tell the lifeguards and have him arrested. His license plate is PB DIVER He lost all of the dive gear which was at his house: something like 20 tanks, 4 or 5 sets of BCs and regs, 2 drysuits, several wetsuits, and a bunch of other stuff.
The Deputy City Attorney, Kathryn Lange, said that this was the largest sentence ever given down here for poaching. She was the recipient of all the letters many of you sent and was very pleasant.
A hearty thank you to all the folks who sent letters to the City about this case; it really made a difference. We very much got their attention. This would be a very appropriate time to send a thank-you note or perhaps a Christmas card to Ms. Lange if you feel so inclined.
You may send your cards and notes to:
Kathryn Lange, Deputy City Attorney
City Attorney's Office, Criminal Division
1200 Third Ave. #700
San Diego, CA 92101
Please remember to mention the Sosnowski poaching case in your note.
As part of the Sosnowski investigation, the seafood buyer for Jasmine Restaurant on Convoy was arrested for buying the poached lobsters. He has apparently claimed that the 95 lobsters were for personal use. Guess he must have been really hungry. In a separate case, the restaurant itself was charged with not keeping proper documentation on their seafood purchases. Both these cases are still pending.
Cozumel
Ron Kasper (ron@buttonupaviary.com)
will be returning to Cozumel and is looking for someone to share
expenses. He is leaving 25 December and returning 5 January. He
has room for one at a two bed at Hotel Barracuda and then a condo
with 2 beds at Las Glorias for a week of that time frame. The
person can split the costs. Email Ron at ron@buttonupaviary.com
for more info. He will be returning to a condo there in August
for 10-14 days.
Cayman
I got this offer a couple of
weeks ago. These sound like good prices, but I'm not familiar
with either the condos or the operator.
Ocean Frontiers - Grand Cayman - Cayman Islands Revised Fall Special Dive packages.
These heavily discounted rates are only
available at Royal Reef Resort from now until December 22nd 2001:
5 Star Condominium Packages:
Villa (2 bedroom 2 bathroom Sleeps 4-6
people): US$1599 for 7 nights
Suite (1 bedroom 1 bathroom Sleeps 2-4 people): US$999 for 7 nights
Studio Room ( Sleeps 2 with mini kitchen/fridge): US$699 for 7
nights
visit: http://www.royalreef.com for floor plans and photos. These rates are not listed on line.
Diving Packages:
*Unlimited 5 day Dive Package= US$599
(5 days of unlimited diving, must be scheduled in advance. Shark
dive upgrade for US$50)
*Best of Cayman Package = US$499
(1x One Tanks Dive, 4x Two tank dives, 1 night dive, 1 stingray
dive, 1 Shark Class/Dive)
visit: http://www.oceanfrontiers.com for photos, maps, info. These rates are not listed on line.
Contact me if you are interested in these packages.
Fiji
Frances San Clemente is organizing a trip to Fiji. The price will be about $1799, week of Mar 23-30. Looks like she has full trip and a waiting list. However, there are invariably a few cancellations so I'd contact Frances if you're interested. This includes airfare from LAX but not some of the transfer fees, etc. You may contact Frances at ppaquita@pacbell.net
Accomodations are at Marilin Bay. Check out www.marlinbay.com for details. Overall, this looks like a nice trip.
- Assorted small women's 3mm wetsuits
$25/ea
- Brand new Palm VII never used, in box, $150
- Web TV Plus Internet Terminal, with wireless keyboard $75
Contact Jon and Eileen Parkhurst at 858-792-1077 or emonzon@home.com
Membership
OES
Info
OES members can receive $30 off
the regular OE price for specialty classes.
Subscriptions to Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine are available through the club for only $10. See Mark Clausen for details.
Club T-shirts are still available for $13.00.
Renewal rates are $20 single; $30 for a family. Send your renewal to Mark Clausen; 1862 Willow Way; Vista, CA 92083.
For more information: