Ocean Explorers Society
December 2002
Sponsored by Ocean Enterprises

 

Contents

Monthly Meeting
Thursday December 5, 2002 6:50PM-- at Ocean Enterprises. We're going to discuss our Curacao trip plans, do the raffle, and generally have a good time. Meet at Appleby's restaurant, across the street, for dinner at 5:30.

From the Editor
Mark is up to his elbows in a kitchen remodel, but sends his regards. Since he's not here, I get to pontificate for a few moments.

We've seen a lot of diving stuff happen this year. Amid some serious concerns about our civil liberties, the FBI took a post-9/11 interest in our hobby. The MPLA implementation is getting a major retreading. This will be a huge fight that will surely continue into next year. Unfortunately, we've also seen a few local diving accidents. Thankfully, these seem to be getting fewer in number.

It's been a good diving year for me.I spent the first few months out of the water, recovering from a fall. But, I feel like the diving in the second half of the year more than compensated for the diving dearth in the first half. Our trip to the Channel Islands was outstanding. I wish more people had joined us. It's nearly the perfect dive vacation; not too many bux, and not too many days.

I was lucky enough to enjoy several great days here in San Diego too. We enjoyed excellent weather and conditions for my November 3rd trip to the Yukon, Ruby E. and the kelp. We don't see many days where the swell is less than a foot, vis more than 40 feet, sunny, and clear. It was hard to believe we were diving in November.

We made good use of the DUI demo days. Both Mark and Tony were seduced by the dry side.

Dive conditions have been very good this year. If I've learned anything, it's that the SD Lifeguard's diving conditions hotline is invariably pessimistic.When in doubt, load up the boogie board and go anyway.

La vida mare is alive and well in San Diego. We have a strong and healthy diving community. I've had a wonderful time conversing with divers in other clubs and organizations.

The economy has temporarily eclipsed environmental issues like beach pollution and fisheries. If we don't make ourselves heard now, the losses could last forever.

I hope everyone has the best holiday season ever. Alas, it will be without our usual party. We were unable to resolve several scheduling conflicts. We'll have the party in January. -- Dave Ambrose

Club Diving
Shore dive -- Nothing formal this month. Send a message to the email list if you want to go out.

Boat Dive -- The Lois Ann has interesting trips on December 14th and 15th. Anyone interested? I'm ready.

As always, if you want to go dive, send an email to the list.

Flotsam
New Mailing List --
I rebuilt our mailing list just before Thanksgiving. The new list offers more freedom, less hassle, and better protection than the old manual method. As far as I can tell, everything went without a hitch. Any subscriber can post to the list. If you need to subscribe, change your email address, delivery options, or anything else, visit our mailing list page on the web site.

Another Lobster Poacher Caught --
Amazingly enough, these guys were commercial fisherman. Fish and Game watched the two fisherman for hours as they tossed dozens of lobsters into their boat without measuring them. When they were confronted by wardens at their dock, they admitted to having to roughly 100 undersized lobsters on board. Fish and Game confiscated all the lobsters; keeping 4 for, evidence and releasing the rest back into the kelp beds.

Harvey Gonzalez, 22, of San Juan Capistrano and his crew member, Roddy Giacomini, 25, of Vista, could each face a maximum $110,000 fine, prison time, the loss of their commercial fishing and lobster permits and the seizure of their boat.

I'd like to think that most commercial fisherman keep close to the letter of the game regulations. These guys could strip mine our coastal lobster population and depress the population for years to come.

The Fish in the Grey Flannel Suit --
A commercial fisherman watched a great white shark downing a seal pup appetizer. You can read the whole story at SignOn San Diego. Suffice it to say that this was a once in a lifetime experience. Reaction has been varied, but I haven't heard anyone quit diving. We need to understand that neither shark sightings, nor wayward seal parts are unusual. I'd hate to see us get our wetsuits in a wad over nothing. Big sharks are around, but we aren't on the menu. SignOn SD has another interesting article. Be sure to check out the video.

Fish Tagging --
San Diego Oceans Foundation is starting to tag fish on the local reefs. If you see a fish trap on the Yukon, Ruby E, or in the kelp beds, please do not disturb it. Research divers will take the fish, tag them, and then release them. For more information, visit the SD Oceans Foundation web site.


San Diego Council of Divers
The next SDCD meeting is Tuesday, December 10th, at 6:30 pm at Rock Bottom Brewery. I don't have their speaker yet, but you can check their events calendar, or subscribe to the SDCD mailing list.

Dive Travel

Curaçao - We need your deposits on the Curaçao trip now! Dates in Curacao are May 4-11. Please forward your deposit check of $150.00 to Mark (760.727.6186) or Jon. This will be the same itinerary as this year's Curaçao trip. We'll stay at Captain Don's Habitat. They offer lodging, unlimited diving and buffet breakfast.

Approximate prices:

$461 - return divers who were there in 2002
$449 - non-divers
$750 - new divers not there in 2002

Package Includes:

1) Garden view room, upstair units requested
2) Six 2-tank boat dives
3) Daily buffet breakfast
4) Airport transfers
5) Unlimited shore dives.

Last year people spent ~$100/person for the week's lunches and dinners. You should figure an additional $75 for a communal car. Contact Mark Clausen if you want to sign up or get more information.

Judging by the photos and rave reviews, this was an awesome trip. For those of us who missed it in 2002, we're making an encore appearance in 2003. We have 24 signed up. This probably means we get a boat to ourselves, and red-carpet treatment from the crews. We also have enough people to split up into special interest groups for on-island activities. I'm trying to get some astronomical activities planned.

Other trips - We're also in the planning stage for Palau for 2003.

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.

For more information: