Many thanks to Scott for letting me post some of his photos here.

See here for more:

http://scottpenny.smugmug.com/gallery/8527646_ow7Nr#P-1-15

Date: 6/10/09

Dive Location: Vallecitos St., La Jolla Shores

Dive Site: Zion

Time: 7:30-ish [haven’t downloaded data yet]

Dive Length: +/- 45 mins

Max Depth: 91 ft.

Mix: 30%

Buddy: Prof. Charles

Temps: sorry, forgot to look….

Viz: quite good below 60 ft: +/- 20 ft., 5-8 ft. in shallows

Marine Life Observed: Mating octos, Sea Pens, Brittle Stars, Swimming Crabs, one very large Bat Ray, several large Sea Hares, several Sea Lemon Dorids, numerous Black-eyed Gobies……

Remarks:

As Jackie remarked, the Big Group met at V-St. last night, then broke up into smaller groups. I had not dived with Prof. Charles in a while and was delighted to have the opportunity to do so last night.

He and I and Navy Dan and his buddy, Erwin, kicked out until the end of the pier lined up with the pink house and dropped.

The idea was to try and hit Zion and move North from there.

I am delighted to report that we appeared to have landed directly on Zion at around 90 ft. and paused here for a while to watch the Black-eyed Gobies dart in and out of their little holes, here in the soft sandstone formations.

As much as I would like to take credit for finding Zion, I can’t. It’s always a crapshoot.

You either drop on it, or you don’t. However, at least now we know it’s just South of Vallecitos Pt at 90 ft.

From here, we moseyed along Northward until we came to the wall at Vallecitos Pt.,

Here, we made an interesting observation: if you come here after the sun goes down, the Brittle Star are all pretty much hidden, with only their arms waving in the current.

However, because we had dropped down well before the sun had set, we found many of the Brittle Star were still out, and you could see their bodies as well as their arms.

I had never noticed this in 8 years of diving V-St.

Moving Northward, along V-Pt., we came across what appeared to be a huge octopus, the size of a basketball.

I gestured for Prof. Charles and the other two dive buddies to come over to see it.

As we all gathered round, and shone our lights on it, the octopus divided in half and separated out into two octos.

We had stumbled across two octopi mating…..

They were understandably not happy with us interrupting their little romantic moment and the female most certainly did not like our lights and began to uncouple and move away.

Touchingly, the male reached out to her with a really long tentacle to try and pull her back, as if to say: “Aw, honey…….don’t let the humans bother you: come back!”

But, she was definitely not happy with our lights and scooted over into some debris to hide, leaving our poor friend feeling a bit frustrated and mightily annoyed with us, I imagine. Sorry, dude!

We left them to ‘get a room’ and moved on into the shallows.

While cruising along in about 20 ft. of water, I came across a site I always dread: a very large stinger, at least two feet long, laying in the sand about 2 ft in front of me—and, I was still moving forward.

I immediately applied the underwater brakes and you could almost hear them screech as I pulled myself to a halt.

Big Boy didn’t hang around to let us collide and before we could, he unfurled his huge wings and majestically took of, just a few feet in front of us. Whew!

From here, it was just a short swim into the 2 ft. surf and we were done for the evening.

Upon reaching our vehicles to unsuit, we all got to drool over some cool video that Penny and Jackie had shot of a huge Halibut, the size of Rhode Island and a Bat Ray taking off……..

‘Nuther day in Paradise, folks!

Dive safe, everyone…….

On Saturday, May 30, 2009, a team of 18 REEF volunteer divers completed a nearly week-long series of marine life surveys covering 9 dive locations up and down the coast of Monterey and Carmel, under the supervision of REEF Director of Science, Dr. Christy Pattengill-Semmens and Dr. Steve Lonhart, Senior Scientist, Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network (SIMoN) at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

See: below for more:

www.blueplanetdivers.org

Date: 6/6/09

Location: Yukon, Wreck Alley, Mission Beach

Time: 11:16 am

Dive Length: 42 mins

Viz: 40 ft. +

Max Depth: 105 ft. [brought shovel]

Av. Depth: 66 ft.

Bottom Temp: 52 F

Surface Temp: 68 F.

Surface Conditions: 1-2 ft. wind waves

Current/Surge: slight

Buddies: Barb and Kathy S.

Marine Life Observed/Recorded: Invertebrates: Tube-Dwelling Anemones, Strawberry Anemones, Red Gorgonians, California Sea Cucumbers, Giant Spined Sea Stars, Stalked Tunicates, Macrocystis.

Fish: numerous juvenile Blacksmith, Black-Eyed Gobies, Cabezon, Painted Greenlings, Black Perch, Pile Perch, Sheephead [juvenile and adult], Senoritas, Masking Crabs, Spanish Shawls….

Photos: see recent Yukon  photos by Kim Mitchell, here on this site [see: sidebar]

Remarks:

We left the dock today reluctantly without NOAA Jim, who had shown up to brief us on all the handiwork he done installing the new stainless steel gas tank, but then decided he didn’t feel up to diving today, which we understood, but were nonetheless disappointed that he couldn’t come out with us—especially after all the work he had done on the boat.

We motored out under partly cloudy skies and threat of rain  to the Yukon, where the Merrissa was just leaving, only to find to our  astonishment that, after suiting up and jumping in,  40 ft. + visibility awaited us down below on Lady Yuke.

I had heard rumors earlier in the day, but didn’t dare believe them.

As we dropped down the line onto the ship, we noticed that we could see her from pretty far up in the water column—like 30 ft. The Forward Guns jutted out like giant, algae covered fingers, pointing to the bow, far below us.

Then, as we dropped in closer, we noticed we could see the sandy bottom from 60 ft., which meant [more or less] scientifically, that the viz was 40 ft., if you assume that the bottom is around 100 ft. and our dive computers are  accurate.

The horizontal viz was even better.

Lady Yuke lay on her side, covered in beautiful pink and white Strawberry Anemones, interspersed with large white clumps of pure white Medtridia, scattered over her superstructure, with long, graceful strands of Giant Kelp waving gently in the breeze on her Starboard side.

You don’t realize how really big the Yukon is, until you see her laid out on the sand in 40 ft. + visibility. She stretches endlessly towards the underwater horizon, glowing in pink and white.

When viz is only 5-10 ft., you see her only in 5-10 ft. segments and her immense size is hidden. It’s like measuring the Great Wall of China in one meter segments.

But, when you see her in all her glory, stretching out endlessly before you, you are astounded at how big she is: 366 feet, the size of a football field underwater.

And, absolutely gorgeous.

Huge schools of juvenile and adult Blacksmith, the size of houses, darted back and forth in front of us, moving as one in the dappled rays of golden sunlight which streamed down from the surface.

Barb, Kathy and I dropped down onto the Forward Guns and then made our way towards Milt’s Tilt, per our agreed upon plan.

As we moved along the superstructure of Yukon, I felt like one of those tiny space pods approaching the Mother Ship in a science fiction movie…at any moment, I expected a sliding door to glide open for us to enter.

Barb and I had promised Kathy we would take into and through the ‘Honor Wall’ Room, so we cruised along the bottom, towards the Radio Tower, looking for the  entry point.

Large numbers of fairly large Sea Pens jutted up from the sandy bottom, as we glided above them, on our way towards Milt’s Tilt.

In only a few minutes, the curtains of Blacksmith fish parted to let us approach section of the superstructure near the bottom, where the cut out into the ‘Honor Wall’ lay.

Barb entered first, followed by me, with Kathy bringing up the rear.

At first it was disorientingly dark inside the ship, but then, as we played our light around on the walls, details became clear: large, yellowish California Sea Cucumbers dotted the walls in front of us, with the occasional Masking Crab, making his way along a steel beam.

Shining my light to the left, I played it up and down the Wall of Tiles, so Kathy could see all the names displayed here.

Leaving Barb and Kathy to explore the room, I shot some air into my BC and let myself glide slowly upward towards the cut out about 9 ft above where we had come in, being careful not to kick my fins and start a ‘silt out’ inside the ship.

I glided out the opening and turned around to make sure Barb and Kathy were behind me.

From here, we glided slowly over to Milt’s Tilt, covered as it is in snow-white Senile Metridia and over the superstructure towards amidships.

The huge schools of Blacksmith had been replaced now by schools of Surfperch and Senoritas, which were now racing over the deck of the ship, as if being chased by some monster behind them.

We finned our way towards the Mortar Bay, admiring Lady Yuke, laying on her side, in all her pink and white glory, secretly reveling in our good fortune at being able to dive her on this oh, so rare day of excellent viz.

I spent some time zooming in on some of the invertebrates, scattered about on the deck and various superstructures, such as the White Metridia, Red Algae and tiny Spanish Shawls, which dotted the surface like tiny neon lights.

Upon arrival at the Mortar Bay, it was time to begin heading back to where we started and we glided up to the Starboard side and made our way through the Giant Kelp, swaying gently back and forth in the current, until we reached the ascent line on the Forward Guns, where we had descended.

Barb and Kathy still had some gas and wanted to dally, so I indicated that I was going to begin making my way up  the line, did my deep stop at 60 ft. and made my way back up, marveling at the beauty of the pink and white ship, as she slowly faded from view.

I amused myself watching their mushrooming, sliver  bubbles make their way up through the water column in the crystal clear, tropical visibility, as I slowly approached surface.

Reluctantly, I clambered back aboard the Scuba Do, knowing that we had all just witnessed a rare moment in 8 years of diving Lady Yuke: 40 ft. + visibility and another good REEF survey accomplished.

Needless to say, we did another dive here, but you get the idea, I’m sure.

Dive safe, everyone and get out there while the good viz lasts.

Date: 6/3/09

Location: La Jolla Shores

Time: 7:30-ish

Dive Length: 45 mins

Temp: a ‘Suunto’ 54 F. [meaning: 52 F]

Surf: negligible: 1-2 ft., if that.

Viz: not bad at depth: 10-15 ft.

Max Depth: 100 ft.

Mix: 31%

Marine Life Observed: Sea Pens, Swimming Crabs, Brittle Stars, Scorpionfish, Pipefish, Cone Snails, Octos, Hemphill crabs, Sarcastic Fringeheads, Black-Eyed Gobies and one tiny Blue-Banded Goby….

Pics: awaiting upload to Flickr by Jimbo…..he or I will post URL later.

Dusk Patrol Gang [entered surf together, but split up shortly there after]: Merrianne, Jackie P., David, Jimbo

Remarks:

We met up on V-St at around 6:30 and after the usual laughing and scratching and picture taking, we suited up and waddled out into Lake La Jolla.

Although we all entered the surf together, by prior agreement, we later divvied up into  teams of Jackie and Merrianne and me, Jimbo and Dave once we dropped down.

Although we kicked straight out from the bathrooms, I’m not entirely sure where we landed, but it was some fairly steep steps leading down into the canyon, so we made our way West and down until we were at around 100 ft. Jimbo wouldn’t let me get narced because he was on 32%.

Here, I noticed some octos and a Hemphill crab and pointed them out to David, who took some quick snapshots.

Shortly after this, we began making our way back ‘up the hill’ and soon found ourselves surrounded by bizzare sandstone formations, leading me to believe we had found Zion, once again, by chance.

This area was fascinating because it had numerous ‘cubbyholes’ worn into the soft sandstone, which provided little homes for various types of marine life, mainly Black-Eyed gobies and Sarcastic Fringehead.

The Fringehead was predictably sarcastic and fearless and remained partially out of his hole and the two photographers approached, periodically rushing out  to intimidate them.

Way back in hole, I could have sworn I was the quick flash of a Blue-Banded Gobi, which are pretty rare at the Shores, but couldn’t be sure because in an instant he was gone.

We fiddled about in Zion for a while, Dave and Jimbo taking more photos, before making our way up to around 50 ft. and Northward, where we came across another ‘step’ in the canyon, covered in ossified worm tubes, which we’ve dubbed the ‘Tube Forest.’

Here, I noticed what appeared to be quite a few Cone Snails, scattered about.

Upon closer examination,  I could see that many of them were surrounded by purple eggs.

I gestured to Jimbo to come in for a closer look and possible pics, which I hope will come out.

The rest of the dive was unevenful and we soon found ourselves surfacing in the shallows, content at having had yet another excellent dive at La Jolla Shores.

The ‘other team’ of Kathy B. and Frank saw a Giant Sea Bass at V-Pt., but, I don’t want to go there.

Dive safe, everyone……

GLASGOW, Scotland — Scientists have long known that commercial fishing affects deep-water fish numbers, but its effects appear to be felt twice as deep as previously thought.

Dr David Bailey of the University of Glasgow, who led the study – published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B – said, “Commercial fishing may have wider effects than anyone previously thought, affecting fish which we assumed were safely beyond the range of fishing boats. We were extremely surprised by this result and believe that it has important implications for how we manage the oceans.”

They unexpectedly found that deep-sea fish numbers down to 2500 metres – a kilometre below the deepest reach of fishing trawlers – were lower in the later 1997 to 2002 period. Not only this, but target species and non-target species were both affected and in much deeper parts of the ocean. Numbers of one species of eel has dropped by half. Most deep-water trawlers harvest down to 1600 metres.

See link below for more:

http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=32654780191

June 2, 2009

Contact:  Patrick Foy, Department of Fish and Game, (916) 651-2084
Ed Hazel, Monterey County District Attorney’s Office,
(831) 755-5070

Poachers Threaten Monterey’s Endangered Black Abalone

California game wardens recently made two new arrests in a series of
black abalone poaching cases in Monterey County. Jerry Jones, 37, of
Monterey, and Terry Callahan, 47, of Seaside were arrested by the
Department of Fish and Game (DFG) on May 13 after being found in
possession of 51 black abalone from Point Lobos State Park. Poaching
charges against the two men are pending.

Commercial fishing for black abalone was banned in 1993. According to
Fish and Game Code Section 5521.5(b), possession of 12 or more abalone
is suitable evidence that the individual in possession intends to use
the abalone for commercial purposes. Additionally, on February 13 of
this year, black abalone were formally granted endangered status by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries
Service.

Despite the federally endangered status of the abalone, said Lt. Don
Kelly of DFG’s Law Enforcement Division, wardens are seeing poaching
operations on a much greater scale than in the past. “Poachers are
taking in excess of 90 or 100 abalone at times,” Kelly said.
“Amazingly, many of these poachers have previous convictions. These
criminals are knowingly breaking the law.”

Monterey County abalone have long been declining in number due to a
bacterial condition called wasting disease, as well as a historical
precedent of overfishing in the area. But today, poaching is the
greatest threat to the black abalone population. The animals typically
sell for $50 to $100 each on the black market.

In addition to the abalone taken and killed for sale, others are
mortally injured by knives and screwdrivers in failed attempts to pry
them off the rocks. Whenever possible, wardens return confiscated
abalone to the waters where they were taken, but often, the injuries
prove to be fatal.

In addition to the illegal operation discovered on May 13, other
notably large cases include:

●       November 2008: Hoa Van Pham, 45, of Moss Landing, and Ty Van
Lieu, 54, of Marina were found in possession of 66 black abalone that
had been taken from a cove in southern Monterey County. Lieu had
previously been found guilty of poaching abalone for commercial purposes
in 2002 and 2005, and was arrested for another abalone violation in
1996. Pham had three prior poaching convictions, two in 2000 and one in
1998, specifically related to taking of marine life from a marine
protected area. Both subjects pled guilty to the charges. Pham was
sentenced to 30 days in jail, three years probation and a $25,000 fine,
while Lieu was sentenced to 90 days in jail, three years probation, a
$25,000 fine and a lifetime commercial fishing license revocation.

●       February 18, 2008: Haeng Ju Shin, 42, of Cupertino, was found by
a California State Park Ranger to be in possession of 18 abalone, 69
mussels, four limpets, three turban snails, one sea urchin and one kelp
snail. She was arrested on charges of unlawfully taking abalone and
marine invertebrates from a marine conservation area. Shin admitted
using a knife to take the marine animals. She was fined $15,000, $7,500
of which was suspended.

●       January 2008: Tony V. Le, 20, of Castroville and Jonathan
Conner, 22, of Salinas, pled guilty to charges of possessing 119 black
abalone and three red abalone. During the investigation Conner told
authorities he could make $3,000 in two months by poaching. Le was
sentenced to five days in jail and three years probation and was fined
$15,000. Conner was placed on probation for four years, fined $15,000
and ordered to stay away from Soberantes Point where the crime was
committed.

●       May 2007: San Mateo residents Robert Ji, 29, Jennifer Ji, 19,
Jong Duk Yoo, 55,  Jong Bae Yoo, 67, and Jong Nan Yoo, 50, were arrested
for poaching 95 black abalone from a cove in Monterey County. Robert Ji,
Jong Duk Yoo, Jong Bae Yoo and Jong Nan Yoo each plead guilty to
poaching charges and were placed on three years probation and fined
$15,000 each. Charges against Jennifer Ji were dropped.

Kelly said that the continuing arrest and prosecution of poachers is
key to preventing the extinction of these endangered animals. “It’s
the highest priority of our wardens in this area,” he said. “If this
problem is left unchecked, Monterey’s black abalone resource will
disappear forever.”

Citizens who witness the poaching of abalone or any related offenses
are asked to call the DFG 24-hour CalTIP line at (888) 334-2258.

####
Note: This e-mail account is used to distribute information to the
public. Do not reply to this e-mail. Direct questions or comments
regarding the information contained in this e-mail to the Department
staff listed as points of contact for this subject.

Subscribe to DFG News via email or RSS feed. Go to www.dfg.ca.gov/news.

Subscribe to the DFG Marine Region News Service (ocean-related news and
information only). Go to www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/subscribe.asp.